Research Digest: 2005
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Tackling complexity: ways to achieve greater benefit RAND Europe informs NAO report for Department for Work and Pensions — 1 December 2005
In partnership with RAND Europe, the UK's National Audit Office (NAO) recently published a report focusing on the complexity of the benefits system for which the UK's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible. Entitled Dealing with the complexity of the benefits system, the study provides an overview of how complex the benefits system is and how that complexity came to be. The study then attempts to ascertain the extent of unnecessary complexity of the benefits system, why much of it remains and what action could be taken to simplify the system.Key findings from RAND Europe's research are the following:
- Whilst the benefits system is complex and service delivery thereby suffers, there is some justification for its complexity.
- Scope for simplification exists, although efforts undertaken in this regard need thoughtful consideration. Overly simplistic measures can impede the system as much as complex ones. Efforts to simplify the system require more precise measurement of complexity and its consequences.
- Further efforts from DWP should be directed to doing more of what has worked and equally, to exploring creative, new approaches where previous efforts have fallen short of expectations.
From Advocacy to Accountability:
The Trend in Health Research Evaluation — 1 December 2005
RAND Europe researcher presented views on trends in measuring the benefits from health research expenditure at an international conference of experts in New Zealand.
Identity Assurance in the Digital Age — 30 November 2005
The recent growth in the theft of electronic identities in the UK requires new and more innovative ways to protect online users. During its 6th Annual Symposium in late October, the Information Assurance Advisory Council (IAAC) brought together high-level UK government and industry officials to discuss how technology and management can better protect users' electronic identities. As a result of the conference, key participants agreed on a joint initiative to develop a Roadmap for Identity Assurance for the UK by June 2006.
RAND Europe Research Informs UK Government Report – 23 September 2005
RAND Europe research informed a report, Policy Through Dialogue, which was prepared by the Council for Science and Technology (CST), the UK Government’s top-level advisory body on science and technology. The CST report was recently accepted by the UK Government. Since the CST is an advisory body, the UK Government must review and accept any recommendations prior to implementation.
The RAND Europe report entitled, Talking Policy: An examination of public dialogue in science and technology policy, was commissioned by the CST to examine how the public had been engaged in dialogue about the future of science and technology policy. The RAND report was one of two that provided an evidence base for the CST recommendations.
This recent Government response shows how RAND Europe’s research is affecting and improving policy making, in this case in the area of public engagement processes in science and technology. Lord Sainsbury, UK Science & Innovation Minister, said of the CST report, "[It] is a valuable contribution to the shaping of Government’s thinking on increasing the scale and impact of public dialogue in science and technology."European Parliament Adopted EC Report on Paediatric Medicines Informed by RAND Europe's Ex-ante Assessment — 29 August 2005
There is a serious lack of testing of medicinal products for children. The European Commission (EC) has attempted to provide a structural solution by drafting a European Parliament and Council Regulation on medicinal products for such paediatric use. In 2004, RAND Europe performed an ex-ante assessment focusing on the economic, social, sustainable, and environmental impacts of the Regulation to be promulgated by the European Commission. The assessment indicates that the proposed Regulation will achieve its objectives, although the effects will vary. RAND Europe's report provided input for the extended impact assessment of the European Commission and the proposed paediatric Regulation was accepted in September 2004. Recently, the European Parliament adopted the report on paediatric medicines, encouraging the pharmaceuticals industry to change its attitude, essentially by extending the life of patents or supplementary protection certificates by six months.
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Related Information
New RAND Europe Research Reveals the Need to Improve Policy Evaluation in the Netherlands — 25 August 2005
Findings of a new RAND Europe report raises questions about the quality and coordination of ex-post evaluation of Dutch government policies. With an increased focus on 'better regulation' and strengthening evidence-based policy making in Europe, policy evaluation is a critical means to improve the quality and accountability of policies. The report also highlights the need to develop an evaluation 'culture' characterised by objectivity, transparency and credibility in making informed policies and regulations.MRC Takes Forward RAND Recommendations on Unit Reviews — 6 August 2005
In late 2004 RAND Europe conducted a study which intended to inform the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) by proposing and appraising options for reviewing the performance of their research units. The final report presented two possible models for unit review, which intended to stimulate discussion and debate, rather than setting out two definitive and exclusive options. It was envisaged that a future review process could draw on elements from both models. MRC Council considered the report at its meeting in February 2005 and agreed that any future system was likely to include aspects of each model. The MRC Steering Group on Unit Reviews is now working on the detail of how unit reviews might operate in the future, building on the RAND report.Evaluation of the London Patient Choice Project — 1 July 2005
The London Patient Choice Project (LPCP) was established to offer choices to patients who were clinically eligible for treatment and had been waiting for treatment at an NHS London hospital beyond a target waiting time. This report covers the choice process and the trade-offs patients are willing to make in order to obtain earlier treatment.What Drives Internationalisation in R&D — 14 June 2005
International collaboration in research and development (R&D) is becoming increasingly important in creating the knowledge that makes research and business more competitive.
Government agencies in Finland as well as in other countries have realised that they need to take an additional international perspective in stimulating R&D. The Research Programme for Advanced Technology Policy (ProACT) is promoting research that helps develop Finnish innovation policy to face future challenges. As a part of the ProACT programme a consortium between Gaia Group Oy and RAND Europe is conducting a study focusing on private sector international R&D collaborations and government intervention in the field. The objective of the study is to provide recommendations for innovation policy on supporting internationalisation of R&D in the private sector.
A first product was a review of the literature on this topic. This report presents the results from a state-of-the-art review of the dynamics of the international science and technology development as they relate to Finland's strengths and national goals in knowledge creation and innovation. This review was led by RAND Europe and supported by Gaia.
Intermediate results of this projects are now available at the proACT website.Full Report (PDF)
RAND Researchers Study Impact of Information Technologies on Germany — 2 March 2005
On 2 February 2005 RAND Europe president L. Martin van der Mandele presented the results of a RAND study on the impact of Information and Communication Technologies in Germany in 2015. Van der Mandele addressed some 250 journalists from 16 countries at the International Press Coloqium in Bonn at the Deutsche Telekom headquarters.
RAND's "Living Tomorrow" study identified trends and breakpoints for the next ten years, which include the outlook of being permanently connected and constantly present. Dr. L. Martin van der Mandele envisions three major social trends: one where more userfriendly public and healthcare services are delivered faster and more cheaply (Always Informed); where citizens have the tools to participate in shaping their world (A Beautiful View); and where people interact more broadly with their circles of connections and more deeply with their families and close friends (Always Together). The study was commissioned by the Deutsche Telekom Group for its 10th anniversary as a stock corporation. The project team, which included staff from RAND offices worldwide, interviewed 55 world-leading experts and futurists, consulted over 150 literature sources and held workshops with Germans from varying target groups.
More information on this study and the Press Coloqium are available at the Deutsche Telekom website:
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