B2R, R2B - Partner or Hostile Relationships?

The paper aims at describing the delicate matter of the relations between science and business units. Should the enterprises be encouraged to use the research outcome of universities, independent research and development units, Think – Tanks and other science – oriented organizations or should both sides develop independently? What should be the role of state in these contacts? The basic assumption of the paper is that a knowledge exchange should be based on short-, middle-, and long – term profits that could be realized by its both sides. The research lead by the authors on a group of Polish universities and companies focused on identifying the qualities that R&D units could possibly offer to business. The second area of concern was the elaboration of mechanisms of knowledge transfer including an appropriate remuneration for the scientific side. Basing on this research the authors reached a conclusion that an intermediary unit operating in between the science units and business organizations is necessary. Its main features and tasks, including the financing possibilities have been presented in the paper. The awaited outcome should be a stable knowledge exchange system, dynamically adapting to the market needs, but also leaving the scientists some freedom for choosing their research topics. This should prevent a situation where all the research would be business – oriented and possible exclusively after a direct order placed by a company.