University of Tasmania, Australia

Evaluation of Government policies to support innovation: the NBN

National, state and local Governments frequently implement policies and programs to encourage the innovative activities of both private businesses and public organizations (including hospitals and schools). Examples include R&D subsidies, manufacturing and agricultural extension programs, and subsidies for small firms to hire a scientist or engineer. Unfortunately, the success of many innovation support programs is often unclear, either due to a failure to evaluate the program or to the use of simplistic evaluation techniques that are unable to provide an accurate assessment of the program’s impacts. 

One option is to use statistical evaluation techniques that are able to control for the counterfactual (what would have been the result if no program had been implemented?), for self-selection biases (do businesses that take part in a program differ in significant ways from business that do not?) and for additive effects (did the program only replace investments that the business would have made anyway, or did it add to these investments?). Experience shows that statistical evaluation methods must also be supplemented by a thorough understanding of the target group, the initial goals of the program, and other factors that could influence participation in programs. Some of this information can be collected through case study or semi-structured interview techniques.

The AIRC is looking for a PhD candidate with an interest in both case study and statistical evaluation methods to develop a PhD research project to assess Government programs. One option is to evaluate the impacts of the roll-out of the National Broadband Network in Tasmania, but research on many other government innovation programs is also possible. The AIRC can help facilitate research in this area under a research collaboration agreement with the State Government of Tasmania.