Towards a collaborative (public-private partnership) approach to research and development in Canada's forest sector: an innovation system perspective

In Canada, a new collaborative approach to forest sector innovation was heralded by the formation of FPinnovations in 2007. Thus FPInnovations acquired and coordinated three long-established industry-driven (association) laboratories, respectively focusing on forestry, wood products and pulp and paper, becoming the largest R&D organization in Canada's forest sector. Funded in the manner of a private-public partnership (P3) FPInnovations has actively sought a diverse range of external collaborators. This paper assesses the evolution and nature of a collaborative approach to R&D governance in Canada's forest sector, as dominated by FPInnovations. Conceptually, this evolution is assessed from an innovation system perspective, especially with respect to core R&D agencies. Three stages in the evolution of Canada's forest sector R&D system are identified culminating in the present collaborative (P3) approach. A rationale for this approach is provided and FPinnovations collaborations are summarized in terms of serving traditional forest sector activities in Canada, deepening commitments to helping small firms, developing licensing arrangements with suppliers, and in creating new types of collaborations, sectorally, culturally and globally that mark its emergence as a mobile external economy. Finally, issues in governance structure are identified to help inform future R&D policies within a collaborative approach for Canada's forest sector.