SQW has a long and successful track record of research assignments associated with knowledge exchange between the research base and businesses, and with the commercialisation of research. As well as advising on processes and leading practice, we also investigate impact on business growth and the economy. In the context of work on sectors and clusters, our experience also includes business-to-business supply chain collaboration and network development. With our sister company Oxford Innovation, we bring an appreciation of ‘open innovation’ models relevant to institutions, firms and their partners.
With a strong grounding in science and technology-based innovation from the earlier history of the company, SQW now has capability across a broader spectrum of innovation-related issues. Our experience covers business model and services innovation, public sector innovation, access to risk finance, creation and growth of innovative, knowledge-based firms, and the working of innovation systems. We have experience of assignments in diverse sectors including the creative industries, electronics, food and drink, health and life sciences, information and communications technology, tourism, and the environmental technology/ services and energy sectors.
Examples of SQW projects
Translational and Clinical Medicine Study
SQW, with Oxford Innovation, was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise (SE) to investigate the routes to economic benefit from national capability and associated research, knowledge exchange and commercialisation activities in Translational and Clinical Medicine (TCM) in Scotland. The research involved consulting with SE and its public sector partners in government, the NHS and the higher education funding council, and with universities and life science businesses. It examined strategic initiatives in support of TCM and economic development internationally. The assignment also included developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for SE’s existing interventions in this area.
NERC Knowledge Exchange Review
The Knowledge Exchange Call is one means by which the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) promotes and supports the use of the research it has funded. Through this scheme, it funds researchers to engage with users in the public, third or private sectors in a wide variety of ways. NERC wished to review the Call and to consider whether modifications might be appropriate in the light of participants’ experience. SQW was commissioned to assess the impact of the scheme, to review the process by which funds are allocated, and to develop case study material on good practices of exchange and delivery.
Evaluation of the InnovationXchange Pilot
InnovationXchange is a pilot open innovation programme led by the University of Birmingham and funded under the competitive element of the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF 3). SQW was commissioned to review its impact after two years of operation, to make recommendations for future development and to identify lessons that could be transferable more widely within the higher education sector.
Evaluation of the Knowledge Transfer Grant
SQW was commissioned to undertake the first full evaluation of the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) higher education Knowledge Transfer Grant (KTG). This involved extensive consultations within all higher education institutions in Scotland. It also involved research with beneficiaries of KTG-funded activity in business, among public policy makers and in cultural organisations, the three areas within the scope of SFC’s aims for the Grant.
Study on the Role of STEM Disciplines in Service Industry Innovation
The Royal Society commissioned this major review of the role that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines (STEM) play in innovation in the UK service industry sectors. As part of this work SQW interviewed public and private service sector organisations to gain an in-depth understanding of the key issues from each perspective.
Evaluation of the NCGE Kauffman/NESTA Joint Project
SQW was commissioned to carry out an evaluation of the NESTA/ NCGE Kauffman Enterprise Programme. This programme involves graduates from UK universities following a course of enterprise training developed by NESTA (and partners) and then undertaking an exchange visit to the USA to spend time with leading research centres, entrepreneurs and businesses in order both to develop their business ideas and to acquire entrepreneurship skills. Already familiar with the NESTA training materials through our previous evaluations of NESTA’a Starter for Six scheme, SQW was commissioned to evaluate the efficacy of the training in this new context.
Examining Current Innovation Practices within SMEs
SQW was commissioned by the International Centre for Digital Content (ICDC), Liverpool John Moores University, to carry out a review of current innovation practices amongst SMEs, particularly in the digital and creative sectors. This involved an e-survey of businesses, supplemented by face-to-face consultations with stakeholders and individual business managers, and included building case studies of business practices. The results of the research were used to inform ICDC’s knowledge transfer proposition and fed into a funding bid.
Improving the Coherence, Coordination and Consistency of National and Regional Venture Capital Provision
Following on from earlier work for Government into the ‘equity gap’ facing innovative, growing SMEs in the UK, SQW was commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to investigate how the coherence, co-ordination and consistency of publicly-backed equity funds for SMEs could be improved. During this research, SQW consulted representatives of BIS, the Department for Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury and Regional Development Agencies, as well as equity fund managers.
Study of Collaborations between UK Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board
UK research councils and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) collaborate in a number of ways including sharing information and expertise, joint funding of research programmes, and funding of complementary programmes. Their aim is to increase the economic impact of the UK research base and to ensure that UK enterprises and their technology are at the forefront of global markets. SQW was commissioned by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the TSB to gather evidence to review their collaborative activities through consultations with Research Council and TSB staff, programme leads in universities and industry collaborators. We developed a number of case studies and reported on where the relationship has been particularly successful (and less successful), where and how the relationship has added value, where it has led to new and innovative approaches, and how partnership working could be improved.