Large-scale military funding induces culture clash
Abstract Mission-oriented research shifts the assessment of research products and potential from scientists to external factors. This is the point of mission funding, but it introduces what the author calls ‘epistemic drift’, which is part of a more general clash between different value systems and cultures. The culture clash between the military and industry has led to a shift in debate from spin-off to dual-use technologies. Similar conflicts and tensions are introduced into the university research system by large-scale mission funding such as that of SDI, and it is imperative that universities establish a strong civilian base for fundamental research funding instead of lobbying for military support.
Military Funding of University Research
Since the mission of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the purposes of the universities do not coincide, the question whether this is pragmatically important is examined. Relevant events in recent history are mentioned, and the reasons given in support of DoD funding of university research are summarized. Five consequences of such support are then discussed: distortion of the balance between research fields, change of emphasis within research fields, classification and other restrictions, consequences for graduate students, and political consequences. Social responsibility for the end use of research is then considered, and it is suggested that social responsibility should become an important university criterion of excellence. The article concludes that the negative consequences of DoD funding far outweigh its perceived benefits, and suggests that the universities should work to establish a strong civilian base of research funding instead of lobbying for DoD support.
EVALUATION OF INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION POLICY-CONCEPTS, METHODS AND LESSONS
The first part of this article describes the methods most frequently used in evaluations of government technology and innovation policies and discusses the limitations and appropriate applications of each. The second part summarizes important findings from German evaluation research: innovation policies tend to focus on large enterprises; efforts to stimulate private investment in research and development produce relatively little effect; and grants for specific research and development projects and increased research and development personnel are effective in stimulating action that would not have otherwise occurred. The most promising methodological strategy for evaluating innovation policies involves mixing methods to avoid the limitations of individual approaches. Copyright 1984 by The Policy Studies Organization.