A Comparative Analysis of Energy And Health Sector Firm R&D Activity in Wales

Given the current levels and future requirements of R&D in Wales this paper focuses on the Welsh Government (WG) priority areas of energy and health sector firms. In the light of current knowledge of R&D levels it considers: (i) the future requirements of R&D in Wales in terms of economic strategies and industrial trends, and (ii) the specific R&D needs of the energy and health sectors for the development of research policy for Wales. To facilitate this, the research draws on a number of research methods, including secondary data analysis and surveys. It appears that there is a need for selectivity and concentration of resources into those sectors such as energy and health where Wales has a critical mass of research and resources which have the potential for development at a World class level. The current levels of research activity in these areas can be increased if the right R&D decisions are made. In relation to this potential there are certain R&D requirements in these sectors that need to be met. These are reported in the research findings of the study undertaken into the energy and health sectors described in this paper.