Just as the FLC brings together federal laboratories for a common purpose, the Industrial Research Institute (IRI) does the same for R&D-intensive industries. Specifically, the IRI is an association of more than 200 companies and laboratories from multiple sectors. Members collectively invest over $100 billion annually in R&D worldwide.
The purpose of the association is to provide its member companies with the latest insights, solutions, and best practices in R&D management and technical innovation. This purpose is fulfilled through a variety of venues, including: annual meetings that address the state-of-the-art in innovation and R&D management; a series of "networks" organized by R&D functional specialties (e.g., R&D Finance, HR, external affiliation and collaboration management, etc.), which provide a forum where peers from member companies can exchange best practices in the context of that network's purpose; and, a series of research committees where members collaborate with one another to research innovation and R&D management techniques — essentially creating knowledge.
The IRI also publishes an award-winning bimonthly journal in which results of innovation and R&D management research are peer-reviewed, published, and disseminated. The common denominator in all of these venues is member networking, and the dominant characteristics of IRI events are openness and a spirit of sharing.
Recently, in recognition that federal laboratories face the same R&D management and innovation challenges as industry at the "80% level," IRI created an associate membership status for federal laboratories and has begun accepting memberships. To date, four federal laboratories and R&D centers from NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Commerce have joined IRI in this new category. Discussions have also been initiated with DOD laboratories and R&D centers, as well as similar entities in other executive departments. Associate members can participate fully in all IRI meetings, networks, research committees, special courses, and other IRI offerings.
The associate member status was approved based on the recommendation of a former federal laboratory executive who joined industry after retirement from a federal R&D career and observed the "win-win value proposition" when industry and federal laboratory R&D leaders and managers get together to discuss mutual R&D management challenges. Participation by federal labs to date seems to be bearing out that value proposition.
IRI would welcome the opportunity to share more about its organization and the benefits of federal lab involvement with any and all FLC members who might be interested. An annual IRI meeting will be held this fall in Washington D.C., with a special focus on the linkages and interfaces between federal government and private industry.
That meeting would be an ideal time for FLC members to attend a major IRI activity, meet IRI member company leaders and managers, and get a feel for the dynamics and atmosphere of IRI.
To learn more about IRI and the upcoming fall meeting, contact IRI Membership Chair Dick Paul (richard.r.paul@boeing.com, 206-655-0747) or IRI President Ed Bernstein (bernstein@iriinc, 703-647-2582.)
