Cooperative Research Centres as effective institutions for contemporary models for achieving innovation in primary industry

The creation of a formal organisational structure that brings together the specific needs of particular industries, with the expertise and research capacity available through recognised research providers, has an underlying and undeniable logic. Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) provide this formal structure and are generally strongly focussed on carrying out applied outcome-driven research to improve productivity through innovation. Despite this strong commercial focus and record of scientific-output CRCs, there is general recognition that adoption of research from CRCs can be improved. The present paper focuses on primary industry CRCs and discusses the applicability of contemporary innovation concepts, which have evolved through the process of industrialisation and socialisation of science, and their application for improving innovation within primary industry CRCs. Specifically considered are 4th and 5th generation innovation concepts that promote ideas within 'Open Innovation' and 'Knowledge Creation' as a means of improving innovation within the primary industry CRCs organisational structure.