Additionality effects of a Science-Technology policy: its contribution to the articulation

This article discusses the results of an evaluation of the Spanish Food Technology
Programme (1988-2000). In particular it raises the additionality analysis of an R&D policy
according to the increase in the agents? activity and in the number of relationships among
them. Therefore, the goal of the article is to study whether a policy promoting R&D activities
in the area of Food Technology (the Spanish Food Technology Programme (SFTP) which is
part of the National R&D Plan) has contributed to improve the articulation of the Spanish
Food Innovation System.
We analyse the participation of the Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC) in the
Programme and highlight the role of ?Interface Structures? to facilitate the cooperation
between research groups and food industry firms. We conclude that, in addition to the
relationship tools that Spanish Food Technology Programme established, it is also necessary
to develop Interface Structures. As a consequence the desired articulation of the Spanish Food
Innovation System is still far from being achieved. Therefore the additionality effect of this
policy is scarce in terms of input-output analysis and even null in terms of behavioural
additionality.