How research-driven organizations can contribute towards socio-economic development

of a region: A case of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

Abstract

The primary objective of a research-driven organization is pursue curiosity-driven or need-

driven research and contribute towards scientific advancement. However, a very few organizations
think beyond their primary mandate of scientific advancement and proactively contribute towards
socio-economic development of the region, in a sustainable manner. For scientific research
organizations, to have a founding vision that goes beyond the pursuit of world-class knowledge
creation and incorporate the principles of socio-economic development of the local region, is
something exemplary. However, the path from envisioning to performing is usually marked with
several challenges. One the biggest challenge in front of such vision-driven organizations is to live up
to the expectations and deliver upon its promises. In this paper, we study one such research-driven
organization located in the southern-most part of Japan and slightly separated from the mainland
Japanese territory – Okinawa.

Historically, the Okinawa region was strategically important to the mainland Japan, from a
political and military stand-point. However, due to its geographical isolation, this particular prefecture
faces a slight disadvantage in terms of its socio-economic development as compared to its peers in
the mainland. We use the case of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) which was
conceived with a vision to pursue world-class research in science & technology and contribute towards
sustainable development of the Okinawa region. However, operating from a slightly isolated region
may pose some significant challenges in front of the organization in terms of its ability to deliver ‘high-
performance’ in its scientific as well as socio-economic development mission. In order to overcome
such challenges, the organization has come up with several ‘organizational-level practices’ to inspire
cutting edge scientific research, innovation and entrepreneurship. We wish to highlight some of key
practices related to managing research projects, partnerships and pool of funds that can are available
for research groups to pursue world-class research. We also look into aspects related to creating an
organizational culture and structure that encourages innovation and creativity in researchers at an
individual level as well as team level. This case contributes theoretically as well as practically, towards
the existing literature on managing research, innovation and entrepreneurship at an organizational
level. Academicians as well as practitioners may find it useful which conceptualizing their own
practices for improving the socio-economic impact of their scientific research projects.