The COVID-19 pandemic is a phenomenon that has caused a lot of uncertainty, leading to changes in everyday life, social behaviour and economies worldwide. Consequently, most countries have introduced restrictions to ensure the health and safety of their citizens. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of the scientific sector in Poland has also become the subject of analysis and research.

The aim of this article is to discuss the significance and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of research institutes in Poland. The data obtained on the basis of questionnaire surveys completed by research institutes in Poland and interviews with representatives of research institutes allowed to identify the main problems faced by research institutes in Poland and how their market situation changed during the pandemic. The article comprises four parts. In the first part, a brief introduction on the current situation of research institutes in Poland, their place and role in scientific policy of the state and the principles of their operation are described. The second part presents an analysis of conducted surveys, wherein the third section is a summary of their results. The last part includes conclusions and an attempt to systematise the main problems encountered by research institutes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Outlined Problems

At present, there is a growing need for comprehensive research related to the impact of the pandemic on the functioning of research institutes in Poland. Research regarding the activities of research institutes in the pandemic period and their results may provide guidance for governmental institutions responsible for allocating public funds for scientific activities and may be helpful in developing the principles of the future scientific and innovation policy of the state (Czerniak, 2013).

One of the major challenges in the science policy of the state is the effective allocation of public funds to acquire new knowledge. Research institutes are an essential element of the system of science in Poland. Due to their supervision by competent ministers, research institutes are often referred to as ‘departmental institutes’. Not only do they constitute an important source of scientific knowledge, but they are also entities managing research equipment and educating qualified personnel (Daszkiewicz, (2008). This is the only sector of science that was thoroughly restructured in the 1990s. The main direction of restructuring was consolidation. Currently, the framework for the research institutes operation is set out in the Act of law of 30 April 2010 on research institutes.¹

Research institutes, as defined in Art. 1 item 1, are state organisational units, identifiable in legal, organisational, economic and financial terms, which conduct scientific research and development work aimed at their implementation and application in practice. (Dz.U. z 2010 r. Nr 96 poz. 618). In December 2016, an Act was implemented that amended the existing Act of law on research institutes. The amended Act regulates the procedures for the appointment and dismissal of directors of state research institutes and the composition of their scientific councils, including the method of appointing the chairman of the council and the deputies. Subsequently, the new Constitution for Science (https://konstytucjadlanauki.gov.pl) was passed and the Łukasiewicz Research Network was established. (https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl).

A smaller network was also established to strengthen the potential of research institutes to carry out large research projects, both for the development of the economy and the competitiveness of enterprises in the area of land transport.² Currently in Poland there are 99 research institutes, including 32 belonging to the Łukasiewicz Research Network (Kwieciński, 2020) and 3 institutes belonging to the POLTRIN network. The establishment of research networks in Poland was inspired by solutions found in other European countries, such as the Fraunhofer Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany.(https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/aboutfraunhofer. html) (Beise & Stahl, 1999). The research networks that were established in Poland associating research institutes are a necessary and inspiring project for the development of the Knowledge-Based Economy (Barcikowska, 2018).

Public research institutes are diverse and complex scientific units, located throughout the entire country. Each of them has a unique management and organisational culture. They operate in the areas of industry, transport, energy, medicine, agriculture, public services, infrastructure and defence. The main objective of the institutes is to cooperate with the economy and business, and encourage entrepreneurs to implement modern technologies (Matyjas & Bohdanowicz, 2018). At the same time, these units are obliged, like other branches of science, to demonstrate their achievements in research and publication areas. Reconciling these two fundamental objectives of their activities and finding an optimal solution is a difficult and complicated process (Gullbrandsen, 2011).

Due to the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19 worldwide, there is a significant danger of reducing the scientific and research capacity of research institutes. Therefore, in 2020, the General Council of Research Institutes — (Rada Główna Instytutów Badawczych — RGIB) conducted a quantitative survey twice using a survey questionnaire among research institutes, the aim of which was to identify the problems the institutes were facing and how much their market situation changed in the initial period of the pandemic, after the first half of 2020 (Christensen & Raynor, 2003).

Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Activities of Research Institutes

Source material and research method

In March 2020, the Office of the General Council of Research Institutes sent out for the first time a survey questionnaire on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of research institutes in Poland. A total of 62 institutes responded to the survey, which is about 62% of all institutes in Poland. The survey consisted of five questions concerning the economic situation of the surveyed unit, the conditions for fulfilling undertaken commitments, the impact of the closure of the economy on the functioning of the unit and reduction in employment (https://www.rgib.org.pl/start/dokumenty/329-ankieta-w-sprawie-wplywu-epidemii-covid-19-nasytuacjefinansowo-ekonomiczna-instytutow).

In July 2020, all research institutes were again asked to fill in an extended survey, the aim of which was to find out the opinion of the institutes on how COVID-19 affected the functioning of the units after the first half of 2020 and 61% of them responded. Each question had three possible answers to choose from. After collecting the answers, the RGIB office prepared synthetic information on the results and sent it to the Ministry of Education and Science (https://www.rgib.org.pl/start/ dokumenty/338-informacja-o-wynikach-ankiety-o-wplywie-epidemii-covid-19nafunkcjonowanieib-po-i-polroczu-2020-r).

Analysis and discussion of research results

On the basis of the data collected and published by the RGIB, the results of the survey of research institutes on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their functioning beyond the first half of 2020 are presented below. In this stage, the institutes answered eight research questions.³

The first question, Have you noticed any deterioration in the economic and financial situation of your Institute?, was responded to by 64% of the surveyed institutes, who noted that their economic and financial situation had deteriorated, 3% noticed a significant deterioration, whereas in one in three institutes the situation had not deteriorated. The results are shown in Figure 1.

The second question, How does the implementation of previously signed contracts as well as national and international commitments look like?, was answered by 26% of the institutes, who stated that during the pandemic period no problems occurred with the implementation of previously signed contracts and national and international commitments, 64% of the institutes faced problems with the implementation of previously signed contracts, while 6% answered that it was not possible to implement contracts (Figure 2).

The third question, Were there any other adverse impacts directly or indirectly related to the pandemic which affected the operation of the Institute?, was answered by 39% of the institutes in the affirmative, 38% reported no adverse action and 23% described the difficulties as minor (Figure 3).

The fourth question, Has the current situation caused, or is it likely to cause, redundancies in the Institute?, was replied by 13% of the institutes surveyed in the affirmative, 80% in the negative and 7% were unable to predict whether redundancies would occur (Figure 4).

The fifth question, Do you think the ongoing situation may negatively affect the institute’s economic performance in the current year?, was answered by as many as 80% of the institutes in the affirmative, 16% in the negative and 4% replied that it was difficult to estimate (Figure 5).

The sixth question, Has the institute benefited from assistance under the Anti-Crisis Support Shield?, was answered in the affirmative by 28% of the surveyed institutes and in the negative by as many as 72% of respondents (Figure 6).

The seventh question, Is the existing support for research institutes within the framework of the Anti-Crisis Support Shield sufficient?, was
answered by 6% of the surveyed institutes in the affirmative, 51% in the negative and 43% were unable to give a definite answer (Figure 7)⁴

The eighth question, Do you see any need to extend the Anti-Crisis Support Shield with additional solutions targeted at research institutes?,
was answered by almost 100% of research institutes in the affirmative.

Interpretation

The answers obtained to the eight questions of the survey questionnaire encourage the following reflections:

• there is clear concern among research institutes about their economic and financial situation in the first half of 2020, but many also express their concern about the future, with more than half of those surveyed reporting a deterioration in their financial and economic situation during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• despite significant problems due to delays in the implementation of signed contracts and commitments, most institutes met their
  obligations;
• delays and changes in contract schedules, delays due to the delivery of equipment from abroad, have become a fairly obvious problem;
• the majority of institutes are unlikely to plan staff reductions (it should be added that some institutes decided to make temporary changes to working conditions, reduce raises, reduce working time or reduce basic salary);
• for more than half of the institutes surveyed, the introduced AntiCrisis Support Shield was not sufficient and not many institutes took advantage of it. Moreover, the information received during the 4th meeting of the RGIB5 shows that the main reasons for the
  deterioration in the economic situation of the institutes resulted from the inability to carry out field research in a timely manner and limitations in obtaining new orders. Lack of trainings, scientific seminars and conferences which impeded professional development opportunities, and increased market prices for certain raw materials necessary for research works were also observed. However, most institutes maintain financial liquidity. The main reasons for the deterioration of the institutes’ economic situation are due to the economic slowdown. Significant costs were generated by expenditure on ensuring safe and hygienic work, as well as purchasing additional equipment necessary for remote work. There were also time delays in cooperation with domestic and foreign contractors.

The recommendations and guidelines made by the General Council of Research Institutes, after consultations with representatives of research institutes, to the Ministry of Education and Science to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic included the following solutions:

• direct reference in the legislation to research institutes as entities covered by the Anti-Crisis Support Shield;
• the creation of a special-purpose financial reserve for research institutes at the disposal of supervising ministers, the purpose of which would be to provide ad hoc support for institutes in the most difficult situation caused by COVID-19;
• regulation of the remote working mode contained in the Labour Code; 􀁺 the possibility for research institutes to obtain additional funding to support the IT infrastructure;
• increase the annual subsidy by a significant percentage;
• the allocation of more funds by the Ministry of Education and Science to research and development work carried out by the institutes;
• introduction of legal solutions allowing for the extension of the implementation period of projects financed by National Centre of Research and Science (NCBR).

It was also proposed by NCBR to launch the IN4IN programme, targeted at real economic and social needs, taking into account the capabilities of entrepreneurs, with higher than so far co-financing from NCBR. The proposed programme would include in particular technical, technological and medical solutions (Biuletyn Rady Głównej Instytutów Badawczych, 2020).

On the positive side, there have been significant advances and developments in the technological processes necessary to carry out online work, and a significant increase in scientific publications. Research institutes have coped reasonably well with the pandemic period and have adapted their activities to the prevailing conditions. In the future, it will be reasonable to continue with this research and to present it after the end of the pandemic time. It is also worth considering undertaking research related to the issue of research institutes and their management, internal regulations and organisational structures, which undoubtedly have a huge impact on their operation in Poland (Biuletyn Rady Głównej Instytutów Badawczych, 2021).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a disruptor of the existing order of things and a catalyst for change in many areas of life, although often sudden and unexpected. The need to limit contacts with other people forced and accelerated changes in the technological sphere, which not everyone was or is ready to accept. The disruption of supply chains, the inertia of adaptation processes and uncertainty in markets have led to a significant increase in interventionism and levels of inflation not seen for many years. Finally, the imminent threat to human life and health, resulting in overburdened health systems in many countries, was, on the other hand, accompanied by a wave of scepticism. Today’s world is becoming increasingly complex and multidimensional (Smith, 2006). It is difficult to avoid risks, meet challenges and exploit opportunities without coordinated efforts and the use of talents and resources. It also seems impossible to solve any civilisational problem without cooperation between science, administration and business.

In the crisis that COVID-19 caused, the need for research and innovation development is clear. The way work was organised, managed and collaborated revealed the interdependence between research and policy. Compared with universities, the issues related to research institutes are much less addressed and described in the literature. Quite often, they are treated holistically as a scientific and research system without focusing on the specifics of their activities. Their functioning is influenced by the scientific and innovation policy of the state, appropriate legal regulations facilitating their operation and financial resources dedicated to these institutions. In order to function properly, they need stability and predictability of actions of the government administration, the Ministry of Education and Science, state agencies such as the NCBR and the National Centre of Science (NCN). It is necessary to create institutional, organisational and information solutions, support tools in which they could develop and their activity would have an effective impact on the scientific and economic development of the country. The analysis and conclusions in this article in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be an indication for the development of appropriate legal and economic solutions (Gryzik, 2017).

Endnotes

1 The provisions of the Act shall not apply to research institutes of higher education and research centres of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
2 Polska Sieć Instytutów Badawczych Transportu–POLTRIN.
3 For the analysis, the author chose a questionnaire with the largest number of questions.
4 The question was answered by research institutes that benefited from the Anti-Crisis Support Shield.
5 The meeting was held on-line on 1 July 2021 and the author participated in it. For more information see Bulletin of the General Council of Research Institutes No. 2 July 2021.

References

Literature of the problem

1. Barcikowska, R. (2018). Sieciowanie instytutów badawczych narzędziem rozwoju polityki innowacyjności w wybranych krajach europejskich, Marketing Instytucji Naukowych i Badawczych, 2018, 3(29) 1–14.
2. Beise, M., & Stahl, H. (1999). Public research and industrial innovations in Germany. Policy, 28, 377–422.
3. Biuletyn Rady Głównej Instytutów Badawczych. (2020, December). Instytuty badawcze w rzeczywistości zmienionej przez pandemię COVID-19. Bulletin of the General Council of Research Institutes Research Institutes in a Reality Changed by the COVID-19 Pandemic, 1(107), 1–4
4. Biuletyn Rady Głównej Instytutów Badawczych (2021, July). IV posiedzenie RGIB X kadencji, 2(109), 1–3
5. Christensen, C. M., & Raynor, M. E. (2003). The innovator’s solution. Boston, MA.
6. Czerniak, J. (2013). Polityka innowacyjna w Polsce, analiza i proponowane kierunki zmian. Warszawa, Poland.
8. Daszkiewicz, M. (2008). Jednostki badawczo-rozwojowe jako źródło innowacyjności w gospodarcei pomoc dla małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw. Warszawa, Poland.
9. Gryzik, A. (2017). Instytuty badawcze w nowoczesnej gospodarce, Ośrodek Przetwarzania Informacji. Warszawa, Poland.
10. Gullbrandsen, M. (2011). Research institutes as hybrid organizations: Central challenges to their legitimacy. Policy Sciences, 44, 215–230.
11. Kwieciński, L. (2020, April). Sieci jednostek naukowo-badawczych jako istotny element w polityce innowacyjnej państwa. Przykład polskiej Sieci Badawczej Łukasiewicz, Nierówności społeczne a wzrost gospodarczy, 64.
12. Matyjas, Z., & Bohdanowicz, L. (2018, April 2). Projekt Sieci Badawczej Łukasiewicz — analiza porównawcza na tle rozwiązań międzynarodowych. Zarządzanie i Finanse Journal of Management and Finance, 16, No. 4/2/2018
13. Smith, D. (2006). Exploring Innovation. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Government sources

1. Ustawa z dnia 30 kwietnia 2010 r. o instytutach badawczych, (Dz.U. z 2010 r. Nr 96 poz. 618).
2. Ustawa z dnia 20 lipca 2018 r. Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce (Dz.U. 2018 poz. 1668).
3. Ustawa z dnia 21lutego 2019r. o Sieci Badawczej Łukasiewicz (Dz.U. 2019 poz. 534).

Internet sources

1. Retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/policy/innovation/scoreboards_en (dostęp 4 March, 2022).
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200702_Lot_2_WP3/links/5beaeb454585150b2bb43e56/Research-Institutes-in-the-ERAWP22007-S-106-12999-FORESIGHT-200702-Lot-2-WP3.pdf (accessed 4 March, 2022) 5. Retrieved from: https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl/ (accessed 5 March, 2022).
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9. Retrieved from: https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr (accessed 9 March, 2022)

Network analysis has many applications in various research areas and fields. A broad stream of network research has been developed in the social sciences as social network analysis.¹ Various concepts of networks refer to the connections, relationships that are the basic feature of each network. They focus on the shape of the social structure, the position of individuals in these structures and the resulting benefits. It is worth mentioning that there is no single, universal network model. Each is unique, and its formation depends on many factors, including the external world, i.e. the environment.² Networks can have different organizational forms from the least to the most formalized. A summary of selected organizational forms of networks is presented in Table 1.³

The above comparison allows systemizing and organizing various forms of network cooperation including the models presented in the article below. According to the author, the two presented networks are examples of different degrees of formalization. On the basis of the above Table, the Łukasiewicz Research Network presents the second degree of formalization, while POLTRIN’s network presents the first degree. Moreover, according to the author, the typology can be a starting point for new forms of cooperation between research institutes in Poland. The article is an attempt to answer the question whether the organizational model of institutes’ networking in Poland and Europe is an appropriate organizational form for these institutions influencing the increase of their competitiveness in the economy.

Poland still occupies a low position in studies showing the innovativeness of European Union (EU) countries. The level of the Summary Innovation Index for Poland is lower than the average for all EU countries. In the Innovation Union Scoreboard (IUS)⁴ published in 2019, Poland was ranked fourth from the end. In comparison with the results of previous years, from weak innovators we advanced to the group of moderate innovators.

Public research institutes are diverse and complex scientific entities. Each has a unique management and organizational culture. They operate in the areas of industry, transportation, energy, medicine, agriculture, public services, infrastructure and defense. Legal framework and organizational framework for research institutes in Poland is set by the Act of 30 April 2010 on research institutes.⁵ In the meaning of Article 1(1) they are state organizational units, legally, organizationally, economically and financially separated, which conduct research and development work aimed at implementation and practical application.⁶ The most important objectives to be achieved by research institutes include:

• conducting scientific research and development work oriented towards implementation.

The research institutes are to perform the following activities:

• conducting scientific research and development work aimed at implementation,
• conducting information activities: dissemination of the results of work, training, scientific, technical and economic information, ?
• teaching activities (specialist training courses), post-graduate and doctoral studies,⁷
• protection of intellectual property,
• standardization, certification and approval activities.

Research institutes are essential in creating and building a Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE) in Poland. They have the intellectual and research potential to support the national economy. It is the only sector of science that has been thoroughly restructured. Consolidation has been the main direction of restructuring . The table below shows the downward trend in the number of research institutes over the last thirty years.

Based on the above summary, it can be concluded that in the years of systemic transformation there has been a clear downward trend in the number of institutes (Figure 1). Their share in the total number of entities conducting research and development activity in Poland has been systematically falling. In 2009–2013, this decline is no longer so rapid, the number of institutes remains at a level of around 120, with minor isolated cases of disbandment, consolidation or privatization of selected entities. It can be assumed that the period of turbulent changes has been survived by the “strongest” units, cooperating with enterprises — units whose research activity is in demand on the market. According to the author, the institutes currently operating owe their survival of the turbulent times largely due to sound policies pursued by the management and changes introduced by individual governments who recognize the necessity of the existence of public research organizations and their important role in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy. A clear shift in the perception of the importance of research and development activities took place when Poland joined the European Union, when it became apparent that one of the Community’s top priorities is the creation of a competitive, modern economy. It is impossible to achieve these assumptions without high expenditures on research and development.⁸

The consolidation of research institutes in Poland has been one of the solutions, aimed both at avoiding the liquidation of weaker units and at increasing the effectiveness of R&D work conducted by these organizations. However, the question remains open as to what form the planned consolidation or cooperation of institutes should take?

Between 2016 and 2020, many changes could be observed in Poland regarding the functioning of these units. In December 2016, the law amending The law on research institutes was enacted. Its amendment regulates the procedures for the appointment and dismissal of directors of state research institutes and the composition of their scientific councils, including the method of appointing the chairman of the council and his deputies.⁹ Subsequently, The act on research institutes¹⁰ was amended, a new Constitution for Science¹¹ was adopted and the Łukasiewicz Research Network was established.¹² The purpose of the network is to carry out research projects including international ones, and to commercialize the results of work. Apart from the basic activity, affiliated institutes may also produce unique research apparatus and materials, conduct metrological, standardization and certification activity, develop prototypes of new technological solutions, conduct courses and staff training, and, if necessary, other activity related to their nature. An important aspect of the functioning of the institutes is their activity for the benefit of society, therefore, among the institutes’ tasks is also the popularization of science and knowledge of new technologies.¹³

A smaller POLTRIN network was also established to strengthen the potential of research institutes to carry out large research projects both for the development of the economy and the competitiveness of enterprises in the area of land transport.¹⁴ Currently, in Poland we have 110 research institutes, including 33 belonging to the Łukasiewicz Research Network and 3 institutes belonging to the POLTRIN network.

Networking of research institutes in selected European countries

Analyzing the idea of networking research institutes in Poland, it is necessary to briefly characterize this trend in the EU. In most EU countries, research institutes are public organizations and their functioning is inscribed in the binding structure of the particular national system of financing science. In Western European countries, institutes are associated within thematic groups which form a network of specialized institutions.

Networking of such institutions will be presented below on the example of research institutes functioning in two selected European countries — Germany and France.

In Germany, the equivalent of Polish research institutes are the institutes associated in the Fraunhofer Society. It is Europe’s largest nonprofit organization involved in applied research and its implementation in industry. The German association disseminates and performs applied research that is useful for private and public enterprises and benefits the whole society. The organization was founded in 1949 and brings together 72 German research institutes (Fraunhofer-Institute) representing more than eighty research sectors. More than 70% of its research income comes from contracts with industry and publicly funded projects.¹⁵ The network’s offerings are aimed at the following target groups:

• companies that want to restructure their market position through a new approach to their competitive environment or their internal processes and resources,
• companies seeking to optimize their information logistics through the implementation of in-company and inter-company information and communication systems,
• companies aiming at optimizing information logistics through the implementation of in-company and inter-company information and communication systems,
• companies involved in the development and distribution of innovative products that want to sustainably increase their technology and innovation capacity intermediary organizations such as: chambers of commerce and industry, trade associations,
• social partners and public sector institutions that want to contribute to the development of innovative ideas for standards and regulations or to participate in training and further education.

The research institutes are located throughout the country. The functioning of the individual units in the association is based on decentralization in management and autonomy of the units. The institutes cooperate closely with industry and universities. The organizational structure enables direct technology transfer. For the institutes within the association is important both the implementation of contract research for companies and the public sphere, as well as consultations, expertise, knowledge exchange and staff mobility. The association has considerable autonomy in management. The state administration does not interfere in the selection of research projects, and the evaluation of results is based on the overall contribution to the German economy. The government has some level of power in the
selection of the president, but less than institutes in other countries, since the board members come from both industry and science. In budgetary terms, the state only provides a core fund of 1/3 of the total R&D project budget. Another 2/3 must come from industry or other sources such as the European Union. This is a stringent criterion for evaluating the performance of R&D institutes. Half of the contract research comes from large companies and the other half from SMEs. The institute manages a database of alumni. Many graduates contact the association and form partnerships with the companies they currently work for. The institute collaborates with local industry and universities.

Furthermore, as the knowledge network becomes more globalized, the association has established branches in the USA, Japan and China, and cooperates with excellent foreign entities (companies, universities, research and technology organizations).¹⁶ The Fraunhofer Institute remains the leader among German research institutions in terms of the annual number of patent applications and industrial property rights. In 2019, 623 patent applications were filed.¹⁷

CARNOT is a national multidisciplinary network, founded in 2006, bringing together 29 French R&D institutes and laboratories and 9 affiliated research units.¹⁸ In 2019, the CARNOT network reported a 3.9% increase in R&D contracts compared to previous years. The units in the network represent about 15% of the national research and laboratory base and employ 26,000 scientists. The French Ministry of Science and Research directs and oversees the CARNOT network system. The National Research Agency (L’Agence Nationale de la Recherche ANR) is responsible for managing funding, structure and administration. It is a government entity created in 2007, functioning as a research funding agency with the aim of increasing research projects in all scientific fields. Among ANR’s main tasks, we can include:

• stimulating the development of basic and applied research and innovation,
• supporting partnership between public and private sectors,
• promoting effective technology transfer to the economic sector.

Implemented projects are selected through competitions based on the criteria of scientific quality and potential application in the business sector. Each research institute associated in the network has its own legal separation and competences in specific research areas. The CARNOT brand is awarded by the Minister for Higher Education and Research to those institutes that cooperate effectively with
representatives of the business sector and local communities.¹⁹ The brand is intended to promote partnerships in the research sector and to develop its cooperation with the small and medium-sized enterprises sector. A single entity joins the network by means of an open competition. After a positive evaluation, it undertakes to comply with the conditions and obligations contained in the rights and duties of the network. The Board of Directors consists of 15 representatives elected from among the CARNOT institutes. The network’s activities are financed by contributions paid by individual institutes and grants from the government administrations of the various ministries, local authorities and partners involved in promoting research and innovation.

Public funding is mostly used for specific purposes (e.g. conferences, information meetings, promotion, etc.).²⁰

The research and financial successes of both network organizations prove that creating networks of cooperating research units is one of the factors of increasing the innovativeness of the country. Such solutions allow for greater knowledge flow and technology transfer. Scientific institutions and entrepreneurs have faster access to knowledge and research results as well as to research infrastructure, shorter time of new technologies implementation, wider didactic offer, possibility to conduct multidisciplinary projects.

Research institutes in social and economic environment in Poland

The contemporary social and economic situation is characterized by complexity and changeability of the processes occurring in it. Research institutes must show particular market activity in order to meet the requirements of the market economy. Commitment to the development of creative and innovative state policy means investments in modern research infrastructure, modern laboratories, direct transfer of knowledge and

technology to the economy. Research institutes operating in a free market economy, should, to an increasing extent, be open for business and adapt their offer to specific market needs. The activity of these entities undoubtedly creates an opportunity to eliminate disproportions in applied research and development works between Poland and Western European
countries. Currently, many of them are an important source of scientific and technological knowledge. However, research institutes are very
heterogeneous. On one hand, the potential of some units, starting from the 1990s, has been gradually shrinking, on the other hand, many institutes have won international prizes and awards, successfully participate in research programs. It is worth noting here that before the state created conditions for cooperation and obtaining subsidies, many institutes had been independently seeking external contacts. The creation of thematic networks and bilateral agreements testify to the resilience of their activities and contradict the thesis that many units should be liquidated or privatized.²¹

Research institutes play an extremely important role in building modern, positive relations between science and business. They are closest to the economy due to the tasks they perform, i.e. conducting development and industrial research focused on implementation. Due to the fact that research institutes are a set of heterogeneous institutions operating in different areas of the economy, it is difficult to unequivocally assess their links and direct effectiveness of their impact on the economy. It is worth noting that despite low and decreasing subsidies from the state budget, institutes are one of the most important sources of obtaining funds from orders from entrepreneurs. However, the scope of this cooperation is still insufficient. The reason for poor cooperation between business and institutes is the lack of incentives for entrepreneurs and huge bureaucratic barriers, which make cooperation difficult.²² With this in mind, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education is trying to create certain facilitations and special programs for research institutions, which are supposed to intensify cooperation with the economy. A good example of these activities are projects announced by the National Centre for Research and Development, where the so-called scientific-industrial consortia are preferred. Another example is the Constitution for Business introduced in 2018. Constitution for Business, i.e. a package of laws aimed at reforming economic law to serve the development of entrepreneurship and
innovation.²³ Additionally, the establishment of scientific networks bringing together research institutes was initiated.

Legal and organizational framework of operation of Łukasiewicz and POLTRIN networks — comparative analysis

Established in our country, in 2019, the Łukasiewicz Research Network is the third largest research network in Europe. It currently gathers 33 Polish institutes²⁴ divided into specific research groups. The Network was created by incorporating a part (mostly subordinated to the Ministry of Entrepreneurship) of currently operating research institutes that have adequate potential to achieve the purpose of the Network’s activities. It is a structure which has considerable autonomy in the performance of tasks set out in the Act.²⁵ The Łukasiewicz Centre is responsible for planning and coordination of research work carried out in the institutes. Additional tasks of the institutes include: production of unique research equipment, metrological, standardization and certification activity, development of new prototypes and technological solutions.

Affiliated institutes may also conduct training, workshops and courses for entrepreneurs. The activity for the benefit of society is important. The institutes operating within the network maintain separate legal personality, act in their own name and on their own account. The activities of the network are evaluated by the minister responsible for higher education and science. Currently, the network operates in the area of four research groups: intelligent mobility, digital transformation, health and sustainable economy. The Łukasiewicz is the first in Poland and the third largest in Europe integrated network of research institutes with technical, substantive and organizational facilities to conduct scientific and implementation activities.

The primary objective of the Łukasiewicz Network is to conduct applied research and development work relevant to the Polish economy and national development strategy. The group of institutes was formed mainly from entities subordinate to the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology. The goal is to provide attractive, complete and competitive business solutions in the areas of automation, chemistry, biomedicine, ICT, materials, and advanced manufacturing.

In 2018, the second network in Poland started its activity which is formed by institutes operating in the field of land transport not affiliated with the Łukasiewicz Research Network. Their main task is the implementation of national as well as international R&D projects and commercialization of research results.²⁶ The mission of the network is to strengthen the potential of research institutes, enabling the
implementation of large research projects for the development of transport, economy and competitiveness of enterprises. A characteristic feature of the network is the operation of this group of institutes within the competencies of the minister responsible for transport and focusing its activities on land transport. This area has been identified as one of the six most important in the SOR including among the thirteen strategic projects of the state.

Decisions in the Network are most often made by agreement. They are made by the directors of the institutes, who meet periodically throughout the year. In addition, persons from the individual institutes are designated for working cooperation. They carry out specific activities independently of their superiors’ meetings. An important advantage of the Network is that its management is practically costless, as the implemented activities are performed within the existing duties of its participants. POLTRIN continues the previous activities of the associated institutes, especially in the field of projects, and has also cooperated/participated in the Transport Day, organized annually in September by the Ministry of Infrastructure.²⁷

Institutes, within the network, operate on the basis of Regulations and Organizational Statutes approved by the supervising minister. They retain a separate legal personality and act in their own name and on their own account. The Network’s mission is broadly understood cooperation with the Polish economy in the field of road and rail transport. All institutes are headquartered in Warsaw, they do not require any restructuring or legal changes. The institutes associated in the network run complementary activities and have been cooperating for many years, both in terms of scientific and research projects, and e.g. in the area of certification. They are linked by many short-term and long-term agreements. Creating a network of scientific units allowed systematizing all the activities and facilitates taking joint initiatives on an ongoing basis. Of particular importance will be undertakings related to large transport projects across the country, such as the construction of new roads and freeways and the modernization of railroad lines. Cooperation between the institutes, in particular, includes:

• performing tasks important for planning and implementation of state policy, necessary to ensure the development of innovative, efficient, safe and low-emission land transport,
• identifying common problems concerning the sector and taking actions aimed at solving them with the use of expertise, scientific potential and research equipment at the disposal of the institutes,
• shaping strategic research programs as well as initiating and implementing a joint research and implementation program in the area of land transport,
• implementation of joint scientific and development work as well as implementation and dissemination of their results,
• cooperation between the laboratories of the institutes and exchange of research experience,²⁸
• representation of the network on the international arena in the area of scientific research and development.²⁹

The scope of the network’s activities is primarily aimed at:

• performing tasks important for the planning and implementation of state policy in the development of innovative, efficient, safe and low-carbon land transport,
• identifying and solving common problems in the transport and infrastructure sector and infrastructure,
• shaping strategic research programs,
• initiating and implementing a joint research and implementation program in the area of land transport.

Conclusions and recommendations

Creating research networks is a modern international trend. In Europe, excellent examples are the CARNOT network in France and the Fraunhofer Society in Germany. The effect of the activity of such structures results in an increase in the level of innovativeness of a given country. In Poland, the process of activity of two scientific networks associating research institutes has begun.

After analyzing the experience of networking of institutes in other European countries, it can be concluded that the model of functioning of scientific institutes associated in networks allows for:

• optimal use of research infrastructure,
• unification of organization within the institutes, which will increase their economic efficiency,
• strengthening the potential of research institutes,
• capacity to implement large R&D projects,
• increased success rate in European programs (Horizon 2020),
• faster transfer of knowledge and new technologies from science to the economy.

After one year of functioning of the Łukasiewicz and POLTRIN networks in Poland, the following benefits of their activities may be noticed: easier and faster access to the staff of specialists, more effective use of research potential and experience of the affiliated institutes, possibility of participation in interdisciplinary projects, innovative and adequate approach to the market demand for R&D services. When setting directions for future activities, research institutes should place even greater emphasis on active cooperation with enterprises, universities and institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences in order to jointly implement national and international research projects.

Research institutes can be treated as “hybrid” organizations. They are located at the interface between science and economy. They operate on the borderline of science with close relations to industry. They represent a kind of dichotomy between science and applied research while bridging the gap between universities and entrepreneurs. Institutes are forced to develop an appropriate model of functioning in order to fit into the expectations of the economy and science. They are research organizations that are much less subject to scientific analysis than their counterparts, such as universities. Research institutes should be perceived in two dimensions — they occupy the position of an intermediary between science and economy, operating under the pressure of global challenges.³⁰

It should be mentioned that the literature on the characteristics and evaluation of the functioning of research institutes in Poland is not very extensive. This article may be a starting point for further research related to the role and place of research institutes in the system of science in our country. The question remains open how to develop an optimal model of networking these institutions in Poland?

The presented activities of both networks indicate that the mission, objectives and tasks facing research institutes are the same. What needs to be solved is the model of their functioning (organizational form), supervision, management and financing within the structures of Polish science and economy.

Endnotes

¹ See: Wicher-Baluta, A., “Znaczenie kapitału społecznego opartego na analizie sieciowej w metodach zatrudniania pracowników.” (In Polish: “Importance of the social capital based on the network analysis in the methods of employing workers.”), in: Praca, społeczeństwo, gospodarka, J. Osiński (ed.), Oficyna Wydawnicza SGH, Warszawa 2011, pp. 222–223.

² See: Wicher-Baluta A., “Polityka oparta na klastrach jako czynnik stymulujący innowacyjność gospodarki Unii Europejskiej”, in: Kwartalnik Kolegium Ekonomiczno-Społecznego, Warszawa 2012, no. 4, pp. 253–268.

³ Knop, L., and Olko, S. “Ewolucja form organizacyjnych sieci współpracy” (In Polish: “Evolution of the organizational forms of cooperation networks.”), in: Organizacja i Zarządzanie, scientific quarterly, 2008/1, pp.101–116.

⁴ https://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/policy/innovation/scoreboards_en (accessed March 25, 2020)

⁵ The provisions of the Act shall not apply to research institutes of higher education and establishments of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

⁶ Act of 30 April 2010 on Research Institutes, (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 96, item 618).

⁷ If it meets certain requirements laid down in the Act of 30 April 2010 on Research Institutes, (Journal of Laws of 2010. No.96 item 618).

⁸ Barcikowska R., Instytuty badawcze w polskiej polityce innowacyjnej w warunkach członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej Instytut Politologii Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, (In Polish: Research institutes in the Polish innovation politics in the conditions of EU membership, PhD thesis, The Institute of Political Science, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw 2015).

⁹ According to the amendment, the minister supervising state research institutes will appoint the institute’s director from among candidates presented by a competition committee. The minister will also have the right not to appoint the director if, among others, none of the candidates guarantees the proper performance of the institute’s tasks. Furthermore, the amendment provides that the supervising minister will appoint (upon the director’s motion) and dismiss deputy directors of a state research institute. In the case of the scientific council of a state research institute, the amendment provides that it will consist of at least 50% of the institute’s employees as defined in the institute’s statutes and at least 50% of persons appointed by the supervising minister. At the same time, the amendment provides that the chairman of the scientific council of a state research institute will be elected only from among the members of the scientific council appointed by the supervising minister.

¹⁰ Act of 30 April 2010 on Research Institutes, (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 96, item 618.).

¹¹ https://konstytucjadlanauki.gov.pl/ (accessed March 25, 2020).

¹² https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl/ (accessed March 25, 2020).

¹³ https://www.gov.pl/web/nauka/lukasiewicz (accessed July 27, 2020)

¹⁴ Polish Transport Research Institutes Network POLTRIN

¹⁵ https://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html (accessed April 2, 2020 r.)

¹⁶ Intarakumnerd P., Goto A. “Role of public research institutes in national innovation”, Research Policy 47(2018), pp. 1309–1320.

¹⁷ https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/media-center/publications/fraunhofer-annual-report.html (accessed August 3, 2020).

¹⁸ https://www.instituts-carnot.eu/en/mot-cl%C3%A9s/carnot-network (accessed April 15, 2020).

¹⁹ The Carnot label is awarded by the MNiB through a call for competitive proposals announced by the ANR there.
The selection procedure consists of an evaluation by a special Commission, after a positive evaluation, the institute in question receives the so-called CARNOT accreditation for five years.

²⁰ Barcikowska R, Sieciowanie instytutów badawczych narzędziem rozwoju polityki innowacyjności w wybranych krajach europejskich, Marketing Instytucji Naukowych i Badawczych, 2018. (In Polish: Networking of the research institutes as a development tool of the innovation politics in the selected European countries, Marketing of Scientific and Research Organizations, 2018).

²¹ Barcikowska R., Instytuty badawcze w polskiej polityce innowacyjnej w warunkach członkostwa w Unii Europejskiej Instytut Politologii Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, (In Polish: Research Institutes in the Polish innovation politics in the conditions of EU memberships, PhD thesis, The Institute of Political Science, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw 2015)

²² See: Praca zbiorowa pod redakcją Bromski K., Współpraca nauki i biznesu, Doświadczenia i dobre praktyki wybranych projektów w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka na lata 2007–2013, Polska Agencja Przedsiębiorczości, Warsaw 2013 (In Polish: Collective work edited by K. Bromski, Cooperation of science and business: Experiences and good practices of the selected projects in the framework of the Operational Program “Innovative Economy for 2007–2013”, Polish Agency for Entrepreneurship Development).

²³ http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20180000646/T/D20180646L.pdf (accessed May 11, 2020).

²⁴ https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl/o-nas/

²⁵ https://www.senat.gov.pl/gfx/senat/pl/senatekspertyzy/5061/plik/1100o.pdf (accessed April 3, 2020).

²⁶ In July 2018, the Road and Bridge Research Institute, the Railway Institute and the Motor Transport Institute concluded an agreement on the establishment of the Polish Transport Research Institutes Network (POLTRIN).

²⁷ Rafalski L, Duże projekty transportowe (In Polish: Big Transportation Projects.), Przegląd Techniczny no.5/2020, p. 12.

²⁸ POLTRIN activity report for 2019, submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

²⁹ https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/powolanie-polskiej-sieci-instytutow-badawczych-transportu-poltrin (accessed March 20, 2020).

³⁰ Gullbrandsen, M., Research institutes as hybrid organizations: Central challenges to their legitimacy, Policy Sciences 44(2011), pp. 215–230

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