Managing Intellectual Property in Federal Entities: Three Case Studies
Technology transfer managers and related professionals were interviewed to assess how intellectual property is managed and protected in the federal government of Canada. The assessment was based on case studies with three federal government entities.

Improving the Liquidity Options for Mid-Life High Technology Companies in Canada
Interviews with the managers of pools of buyout capital in Canada were conducted. The results of the interviews and the research revealed that: (1) our policy makers should be concerned about the liquidity limitations faced by mid-sized technology companies in Canada; (2) there should be formalized mechanisms for establishing communications between the high technology industry and the buyout segment of the private equity capital market, similar to those that exist for the venture capital segment; (3) the high technology industry should take steps to improve its image with financial investors in terms of management practices; and (4) it is not inevitable that Canada’s primary role in the global high technology industry is to perform research and development for foreign companies.

Building World Class Canadian High Technology Companies – A Discussion Paper
This discussion paper examined a number of issues related to foreign takeovers of Canadian high-tech companies so that the debate on the subject can be carried out with the best long-term interests of Canadians in mind. The paper discussed the growing concern among technology industry watchers about Canada’s inability to grow many companies to the point where they can be meaningful players in the global high-tech industry.

Economic Diversification: Some Unexploited Opportunities
This overview report examined resource industries as an untapped source of technology that could help to diversify Canada’s economy. Whether the opportunities get exploited inside the sector or outside, the sector does have a significant pool of financial and management resources that could be applied to the exploitation process.

A Framework for Assessment: The Role of the CETACs
An assessment of the role of the CETACs and how they relate to Environment Canada’s current mandate was developed, as well as the identification of what future roles and options may be possible for them.

Access Canada Initiative: National Information Infrastructure Development for Canada
In partnership with several other consultants, we help to develop the Access Canada Initiative – a project that set the stage for building an infrastructure for electronic government in Canada. It examined how new forms of partnering could assist in the development of a shared, nation-wide, IT services infrastructure. A discussion paper regarding the creation of ‘A National Information Systems Utility to Provide a Common Information Systems and Services Infrastructure’ was developed. Some of the topics covered in the report included: (1) building an infrastructure for electronic government, (2) progress through partnerships, (3) redefining the legislative and regulatory framework, (4) creating sustainable benefits, (5) on moving forward: decisions, actions, results, and (6) an operational scenario.

Hollowing Out: A High Technology Perspective
This research examined a number of issues related to foreign takeovers of Canadian high-tech companies. The paper suggested that in their pursuit of investment capital, governments at all three levels should understand the differences between ‘strategic’ and ‘financial’ buyers and focus more of their efforts on Canadian-based ‘financial’ buyers. Also, it was suggested that Statistics Canada and Canadian industry (not just the high-tech industry) should agree on what constitutes a ‘head office’ after a company is taken over so that a meaningful debate can be carried out on the so-called ‘hollowing out’ phenomenon.

An Analysis of High Technology Trade Statistics
An analysis of Canadian trade in advanced technology products (ATP) was conducted including what they imply for policy makers. The study suggested that if the ATP trade deficit were to be reduced to zero, 40,000 direct jobs, 120,000 indirect jobs, $600 million in R&D expenditures, and $1.2 billion in new taxes would be generated. It was noted that mainly suppliers of equipment do R&D, not users, and that while product R&D creates jobs, process R&D tends to eliminate them. Canada is a major importer of technology, both as intellectual property and in its tangible form as ATP. A bulletin system was proposed on high tech trade statistics as a means for government to monitor, manage, and disseminate key data.

Strategic Planning Frameworks for the Alberta Research Council (ARC)
We assisted in the development of an economic payback framework that was based on the processes by which technology gets turned into products, services, and processes and by which new product lines or new companies are formed to act as vehicles for the commercialization process.

Technology or Poverty: The Issues Facing Canada’s Political and Public Service Leaders
Doyletech solicited the support of several major technology companies and entrepreneurs in order to develop a national technology development ‘issues list’ for the explicit use by government policy makers at all levels in Canada. These project partners supported the development of a national research report on the state of the Canadian technology industry, with particular emphasis on our relative standing with our major trading partners in the area of technology-intensive goods and services. A series of cross-country public policy seminars were also organized. Attendees were exposed to facts and figures as well as to innovative ideas for addressing the problems. They were shown that R&D is not the total answer, that provinces should not be the major source of capital, and that municipalities are relying too heavily on local research parks and incubators. Seminars were held in Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, Vancouver, and Halifax.

Mentorship in Technology-Based Companies
In partnership with the Science Council of British Columbia, we co-authored a handbook entitled ‘Mentorship in Technology-Based Companies’ (BC Govt. Call # – BC S31 D:M46 1996).

Building a Stronger Environmental Technology Exploitation Capability in Canada
The focus of this study was to recommend an appropriate infrastructure for providing technology exploitation services to Canadian developers of environmental technologies. Such services would accelerate the application of technology for solving environmental problems and the creation of wealth for Canadians. The study also provided an overview of Canada’s environmental technology industry and the markets available to it, both domestically and overseas.

Recommendations Concerning the Exploitation of Ion Implantation Technology
We provided advice to AECL in negotiating a licensing agreement with manufacturers of ion implantation equipment who had expressed an interest in a device developed at AECL’s Chalk River Nuclear Research Laboratory.

Commercial Applications for Space Technology Developed by Spar Aerospace
This assignment identified business opportunities from technology developed by Spar Aerospace Ltd. as part of work done for the Canadian Space Agency. It was assumed that the technologies would be exploited by outside firms who would license the technology from Spar Aerospace. An inventory of technologies was taken; these technologies were then mapped against what are considered to be ‘critical technologies’ by the U.S. Department of Defence and ‘strategic technologies’ by ISTC.

The Communications Research Centre: Recommendations for the Future
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. Several recommendations for the future were provided.

A Business Case for the Establishment of the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation (CMC)
One of Doyletech’s first projects was the development of a business case for the establishment and operation of the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation (CMC).

A Menu of Options for the Next NRC Long Range Plan
A series of operational scenarios were developed and presented as a menu of options for the next National Research Council Canada (NRC) long range plan. 

A Business Case for the Establishment of a Technology Transfer Office for Triumf
A business case was developed for the establishment of a technology transfer office at Triumf. Assistance with the recruitment of a manager was also provided. 

Measuring the Performance of Labour Sponsored Venture Capital Funds: A Discussion Paper
This discussion paper was presented to several government organizations and trade associations. It argued that the employment and revenue growth rates of investee companies are important indicators of a LSVCF’s performance but they are often not captured in the fund’s unit value.

Attracting Very Early Stage Investment Capital to Technology-Based Firms: A Discussion Paper
This discussion paper was presented to several audiences in both the public and private sectors. It stated that Canada should take steps to diversify its economy through the commercialization of technology. A major impediment to such commercialization is the difficulty that entrepreneurs experience in accessing early stage investment capital. The paper proposed a new approach to creating incentives for angel investors whereby they would share in the tax revenues that their investee companies would generate for federal and provincial governments during their early years. Such sharing would continue until the very first financial investors received all of their money back.