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Economic and R&D Impact Analysis

 

Doyletech is a recognized leader in economic impact assessment across industries and programs. Our experience ranges from the assessment of technology commercialization activities at publicly-funded labs and agencies to the economic impact of new companies and operations on a surrounding geographic area. We have developed proprietary economic impact models for specific applications. Our models for the assessment of licensing and fee-for-service activities from publicly-funded research are considered the keystone in Canada. Our community economic impact models, which assess the impact of a specific entity on the surrounding community have been applied across Canada. In the case of a new operation, (or a proposed operation), we have developed a comprehensive model that assesses not only the ongoing annual impact from the operation (or proposed operation) but also its one-time ‘startup’ impact. Based on our industry experience, we have developed operation-specific (and industry-specific) multiplier effects.

While we can offer a wide range of economic assessment assistance, the following outlines two of our assessment service offerings:

Doyletech’s Laboratory Impact Assessment Service – Measuring the Direct Economic Impact of Government-Funded Research

Depending on their missions, government laboratories in Canada contribute to the country’s economy in a number of ways, such as the pursuit of R&D projects that are too risky for the private sector, collaboration on industry standards, and participation in international programs such as space exploration and subatomic particle physics. They also develop technology that can be licensed to the private sector for the supply of products, services, and processes.

We can assist your laboratory in quantifying its economic contribution by: (1) measuring laboratory revenue from intellectual property and external research contracts; (2) estimating the sales and employment generated by the licensing and contract activity; (3) estimating the annual tax revenue from licensing and contract activity; and (4) preparing a report or presentation explaining the above results (this can include print-ready marketing materials produced by Doyletech).

Doyletech’s Local Economic Impact Assessment Service – Measuring the Economic Impact of an Operation/Entity on the Local Community

These types of economic impact studies highlight the importance of an entity or operation’s activities in the generation of income, output, and employment in the market area serviced by the entity, typically a city or region. Doyletech has developed its own proprietary economic model explicitly for assignments such as this. As part of this service, we can provide expert testimony to external constituencies on the results of the assessment.

For more information on this service (and how it can be applied to the impact arising from spin-off companies), download the following discussion paper:

Discussion Paper: Assessing the Impact of Spin-off Companies from Your Organization

 

Sample of Past Projects

Economic Impact Analysis of NRC-IIT Licensing and Spin-off Company Creation Activities, 1990-2006
National Research Council Canada - Institute for Information Technology (NRC-IIT)

An assessment of the employment and economic impact of licensing and spin-off company formation was conducted for the National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Information Technology (NRC-IIT). We applied Doyletech propriety models to NRC-IIT’s databases on licensing and fee-for-service data in order to quantify the employment and sales impacts arising from these activities.

A Family Tree of NRC Spin-off Companies
National Research Council Canada (NRC)

This ‘family tree’ (poster) tracks the development of companies whose origins can be traced back to the National Research Council Canada (NRC), either through a transfer of technology, or a transfer of people, or both. Several editions of the ‘family tree’ have been developed and published over the years, starting in the early 1980s.

An Assessment of CETAC-West’s Relevance Ten Years after Inception
Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation (CETAC-WEST)

This project involved an assessment of CETAC-West’s relevance to the industrial sectors in which it operates and to other initiatives (e.g. Canada’s innovation strategy and the Kyoto Accord) that have emerged during the last ten years. It was based on consultation that was carried out with CETAC-West’s major stakeholders.

Economic Impact Analysis on the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation
Canadian Microelectronics Corporation (CMC)

A comprehensive social and economic impact model was developed and executed. It provided a methodology for assessing the economic contribution being made by CMC on the Canadian economy. The broader social benefit was also estimated.

Economic Impact Analysis of CRC Licensing, Consulting, and Spin-off Activities
Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)

Applying Doyletech’s proprietary methodologies, an assessment of CRC’s licensing and fee-for-service activities was conducted. An economic impact analysis was also conducted on spin-off companies that have been created from CRC over the years.

A Family Tree of CRC Spin-off Companies
Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC)

This ‘family tree’ (poster) tracks the development of companies whose origins can be traced back to the Communications Research Council Canada (CRC), either through a transfer of technology, or a transfer of people, or both. Several editions of the ‘family tree’ have been developed and published over the years, starting in the early 1980s.

Economic Contribution Analysis of the StarTek Call Centre on the Kingston Economy
Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO)

An economic impact assessment was carried out on the new StarTek call centres in terms of the one-time and ongoing annual impacts the 1,100 new jobs would have on the local Kingston economy. In addition to annual economic impacts, a one-time impact arising from the startup of the centres was also determined. Our comprehensive assessment of economic impact included consideration of the following: direct corporate spending, capital and operating expenditures, local wage expenditures, property taxes generated by employees, incrementally, and local consumption models.

The Economic Impact of NRC Spin-off Companies on Ottawa-Gatineau
National Research Council Canada – Regional Innovation Centre Ottawa

Estimates of spin-off company impact were arrived at by applying income models to both the spin-off companies and the supply companies that Doyletech considered to be appropriate for converting employment figures into economic impact. Our proprietary income models for various types of technology companies are based on over 35 years of working with technology companies.

Broadband Communications in Eastern Ontario: Observations of the Impact on Rural Communities
Industry Canada

A series of interviews with individuals in Eastern Ontario were conducted to assess the impact of the availability, or lack of availability, of broadband communications in their communities. The main purpose of the interviews was to develop a realistic and non-speculative comparison of the changing conditions of communities with broadband access with the conditions of those without it. Broadband access was assumed to refer to the ability of a person with a computer to access the Internet at data rates in excess of one megabit per second in both directions.

A Family Tree of Carleton University Spin-off Companies
The Carleton University Foundry Program

The ‘family tree’ is a poster tracking the genealogy of firms, whose creation has been influenced by Carleton University. Specifically, the criteria used to classify a company as part of the poster, or ‘family tree’ as we call it, are those companies that have been founded or co-founded by students, staff and/or faculty, and alumni or from technology developed at Carleton University. This project involved significant survey and research activities to identify appropriate firms and obtain the necessary genealogy information. Several marketing collaterals were developed in addition to the poster, as well as an online database containing information on each spin-off company.

Economic Impact Analysis on Precarn Incorporated
Precarn Incorporated and Industry Canada

An economic impact analysis was conducted on Precarn Incorporated.

Communications Research Centre: Contribution to the Canadian Economy and Recommendations for the Future
Communications Research Centre Canada

This study assessed the economic contribution of the Communications Research Centre to the Canadian economy. The economic impact was based on corporate and personal income taxes generated by companies whose sales, employment, and profits were directly affected by CRC’s activities.

A Model for Estimating Local Purchases Made by Ottawa’s High Technology Companies
The City of Ottawa

A profit-and-loss model for the entire Ottawa Technology Cluster (OTC) was developed to estimate expenditures on operational activities such as manufacturing and selling as well as on the capital equipment required to support those activities. The analysis was based on several assumptions which, in turn, were based on our experience. Nevertheless, the model does help to put the various elements of OTC buying power in perspective. For example, the best opportunities for economic spin-offs are obviously in the supply of COGS-related products and services. Expenditures on salaries are relatively small as a percentage of total OTC sales; it is this low ratio that accounts for the high level of indirect jobs from high technology activities.  

Economic Impact Model for the Alberta Research Council (ARC)
Alberta Research Council (ARC)

We assisted in the development of an economic payback model that was based on the processes by which technology gets turned into products, services, and processes.