Grant from private company - conflict of interest If a private company provides a grant for some research to be carried out but is hoping for a particular outcome from the research in order to take certain business decisions, should this be described as a conflict of interest?
I don't see this as a conflict of interest, but the issue itself is deserving of careful attention from both a contracts perspective and a scientific perspective. I would advise against any such funding source that puts restrictions on the publication of findings.  In particular, you state that the business is "hoping for a particular outcome."  Are you still allowed to publish results that are contrary to their expectations -- or, does the contract specifically state they have authority over what can and cannot be published. You will want your grants management officers to carefully scrutinize the contract.  

Science is really about answering questions through an open, replicable and systematic process.  It is not about providing evidence for an expected outcome.  I think this type of funding will be more problematic than helpful for a scientific career.