An Audit Tool for Intellectual Property Management

IP Management in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Authors

  • Paul Steffens University of Queensland
  • Michael Waterhouse
  • Art Shulman University of Queensland
  • Andrew Wollin University of Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1017/S1321816600002531

Keywords:

Queensland Smart State initiative, intellectual property (IP) management, economic development, holistic audit

Abstract

Smart State is a Queensland Government initiative that recognises the central role of knowledge-based economic growth. In this context, the management of intellectual property (IP) within Queensland and Australian government research and development agencies has changed dramatically over recent years. Increasing expectations have been placed on utilising public sector IP to both underpin economic development and augment taxes by generating new revenues. Public sector research and development (R&D) management has come under greater scrutiny to commercialise and/or corporatise their activities. In a study of IP management issues in the Queensland Public Sector we developed a framework to facilitate a holistic audit of IP management in government agencies. In this paper we describe this framework as it pertains to one large public sector Agriculture R&D Agency, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI). The four overlapping domains of the framework are: IP Generation; IP Rights; IP Uptake; and Corporate IP Support. The audit within QDPI, conducted in 2000 near the outset of Smart State, highlighted some well developed IP management practices within QDPI's traditional areas of focus of innovation (IP Generation) and IP ownership and licensing (IP Rights). However, further management practice developments are required to improve the domains of IP Uptake and Corporate IP Support.

Author Biographies

  • Paul Steffens, University of Queensland

    Paul Steffens, Associate Director (Teaching Programs), Technology and Innovation Management Centre, University of Queensland, focuses his research and consulting in the areas of strategic management of R&D, new product development, diffusion of innovations, technology transfer and marketing models. He has consulted or researched for both private and public sector organisations such as IPAA, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Waitrose, "Monsanto, Bunge, Franklins, Solutions Research and the Meat Research Corporation and is an author of more than thirty research publications.

  • Michael Waterhouse

    Michael Waterhouse has wide teaching experience at Canadian and Austraiian universities and has designed and presented many Executive courses and workshops for Australian, Canadian, Eastern European, and, Pacific Rim managers. Dr. Waterhouse recently returned to Australia, after more than 20 years teaching and consulting in management in Canada. His focus is Strategic Management of the Corporation, including: Strategic planning, management and implementation practices and change methods.

  • Art Shulman, University of Queensland

    Art Shulman holds the position of Reader in the UQ Business School, St Lucia. His areas of expertise include communication and knowledge management, alliance governance and organization change practices. He has led consultancies on ways of improving management change practices to government agencies and private sector organisations in Australia, USA, Great Britain, Canada, Malaysia, India and Singapore. He is an author of over 115 scientific publications and has supervised 36 PhD students.

  • Andrew Wollin, University of Queensland

    Andrew Wollin lectures in strategic management, organisation theory and entrepreneurship at the UQ Business School, 5t Lucia. He worked in engineering research and development, as both a researcher and manager for 17 years, before moving to academia in 1996. His research interests include: 'macro-entrepreneurship'; public sector management; the management of research and commercialization, theories of change and complexity theory.

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Published

2003-05-01

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2003): Special Issue: Queensland: The Smart State

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Steffens, P., Waterhouse, . M., Shulman, A., & Wollin, A. (2003). An Audit Tool for Intellectual Property Management: IP Management in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. Queensland Review, 10(1), 71-88. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1321816600002531