• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.27-39
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• 2014

The role of R&D center for technology commercialization can be categorized into three distinct stages: the first stage consists in developing industrial problem-solving capability; the second consists in catching up with industrialized economies developing creative imitations of imported technologies; and the third consists in acquiring advanced knowledge creation capability. Accordingly, the R&D center's organization should be aligned with this development strategy. This case study of Kazakhstan provide a managerial implication for the other developing countries. The first stage of development, which may be called the 'industrial problem solving stage,' the center will build the infrastructure in terms of both technology and human-resources. The second stage will involve building up 'knowledge capability' with a view to becoming a major industrial R&D hub in Central Eurasia. In the third stage, the center will create advanced knowledge as a 'world-class knowledge center'. In this regard, the evolution of the R&D center should be described according to the features of the center's services.