Suggested repositioning of defence R&D within the French system of innovation

Abstract

Are governments right to support technological progress through military R&D? If so, which are the most appropriate institutions and organizational patterns for a fruitful relationship between military R&D and the economy in general? A comparative analysis of the US and the French systems of innovation leads us to the idea that the answer lies in integrating civilian and military innovation structures around the key concept of dual use. Building on a model developed by Metcalfe and Saviotti (Res Policy 13 (1984) 141), the purpose of this article is to introduce organizational patterns and tools (so-called “pillars”) on which to build a dual-use policy. We then apply this model to the French case and formulate recommendations regarding the repositioning of its defence R&D.