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Feb./2012
(Others)
Design Methodology for Research and Development Strategy -Realizing a Sustainable Society-/CRDS-FY2010-XR-25E
Executive Summary

The mission of the Center for Research and Development Strategy (CRDS) is to propose research development strategies from a national perspective [1]. Going beyond research and development, the target of this strategy is research that contributes to society through the results. Research as the basis of and at the same time the driver of innovation is especially important. There are, however, many different varieties of contribution to society or innovation that research brings about: some research outcomes passively create unexpected benefit over the long term, while some research is intended to solve current issues. Consequently, the research targeted by the CRDS's strategic proposal is diverse and expansive.

In this book, to provide an initial understanding of the strategic proposal, the role of scientists is described assuming that the relationship of society with science and technology is one of crucial factors for sustainable evolution. Alongside, modern scientific and technological knowledge and the characteristics of its influence on society are presented. Scientists can be thought of as being divided into observing scientists (analytical science) and designing scientists (design science). Their roles are located in the continuous information cycle loop that includes science as well as nature and society. The problematic characteristics of modern scientific knowledge are a division of holistic indigenous knowledge into narrow academic disciplines, an inclination towards pursuing particular cases of immutable existence, an undeveloped holistic observation, and the current immaturity of designing theories. Considering these characteristics, we must develop relevant means to cope with the flood of artefacts and new threats to sustainability.

Based on the concept of science for sustainable evolution called "sustainability science", we consider here a decision policy for research and development strategy that compensates for the weakness in present scientific knowledge. This decision policy advances actual science and technology research and development through the integration of disciplines and collaboration among roles. First, scientists discover the social wishes through holistic observation. Then, they analyse the discovered wishes within functional description as detailed as possible. On the other hand, minimum networks of scientific disciplines which may exert effective functionality in society are composed. Then, the detailed functional description which represents a social wish can encounter a minimum network of scientific disciplines. This is the basic framework of research strategy which accommodates the issue oriented innovation. Practical manuals for this method are not yet established; however, while strategy proposal is being pursued through the afore-mentioned processes at CRDS, measures to create an effective strategy proposal must be made certain.

The following text represents the English translation of the outline of the Japanese version published in June 2010.

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