AZTI maintains a strong commitment to research and development, as well as to technological innovation as a key differentiating factor. In this context, AZTI is committed to implementing and maintaining an R&D&I Management System in accordance with UNE Standard 166002, with the aim of continuously improving the management system and complying with all the requirements of the reference standard, as well as other applicable requirements. With this conviction, AZTI carries out its activities based on the R&D&I Policy established by Management and founded on the following principles:
- Innovation as a strategic variable that impacts all processes and activities carried out by AZTI. Innovation is oriented towards increasingly efficient management of available resources and knowledge, while ensuring that the most appropriate technologies are introduced effectively, delivering benefits and competitive advantages to Trustees, clients, and employees.
- Open innovation. AZTI understands innovation as an open process. As a technology-driving organisation, it has a clear vocation to involve suppliers, partners, clients, and collaborators—such as universities, other technology centres, equipment manufacturers, and individuals with relevant knowledge, experience, or innovative capacity—in its innovation processes.
- Future-oriented innovation. Anticipating social needs and trends in order to address challenges proactively. Advancing technical and scientific knowledge in our areas of activity, avoiding the reinvention of existing solutions, and identifying emerging technologies, sectors, and business opportunities. AZTI prioritises its actions within the framework defined by the United Nations Sustainable and Healthy Development Goals.
- Business-oriented innovation aimed at transforming knowledge into innovative processes, products, and services that are both satisfactory and profitable for clients and for AZTI.
- Specialisation in our areas of expertise. Only by deepening our specialisation can we advance knowledge and grow in the market, as the value we deliver to our clients is directly proportional to our level of specialisation.
The Innovation Policy is based on the following core principles of action:
- Promoting an innovative culture that permeates the entire organisation, fostering motivating work environments that encourage and reward idea generation and innovative practices by employees, while accepting risk and recognising creative contributions.
- Integrating innovation into all training content through specific courses and programmes aimed at developing creative capabilities.
- Implementing an innovation management process that enables the definition of AZTI’s Technology Plan and serves as the driving tool for setting investment priorities, developing key competencies among staff, and establishing technological and market alliances.
- Promoting a technology watch and foresight system to identify opportunities and challenges for AZTI and detect innovation needs in processes or services, enabling anticipation of technological changes in the market.
- Encouraging collaborations and alliances with stakeholders (not limited to interest groups) through networks and forums that multiply AZTI’s innovative capacity.
- Disseminating internally the knowledge generated so that all staff are aware of best practices applicable to their activities, in pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness across all processes.
- Protecting the outcomes of the innovation process through appropriate and ethical management of intellectual and industrial property.
- Communicating innovation activities, balancing the return of part of the acquired knowledge to society with the necessary confidentiality regarding AZTI’s own intellectual activity.
Knowledge is a fundamental pillar for value creation through R&D&I and is therefore strategic. AZTI implements initiatives, procedures, and tools to ensure the real and effective use of this knowledge. The ultimate objective is to disseminate and share existing knowledge within the organisation, promote continuous learning and exchange, and increase operational efficiency through appropriate use of knowledge, always acting in AZTI’s best interests. To this end, Management implements actions to:
- Identify the knowledge existing within AZTI and among its people, recognise its value, and foster its development as a fundamental tool for value creation.
- Integrate the knowledge of all individuals and areas to provide objective conditions for structuring an “intelligent organisation” focused on value creation through continuous learning and innovation capacity.
- Align knowledge management (generation, acquisition, and dissemination) with the competencies and requirements defined by AZTI’s strategy, as set out in its Technology Plan and Strategic Plan.
- Maximise knowledge sharing by providing the necessary resources to support its development, internal dissemination through training actions, and efficient use. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening organisational connections (networks) and team cohesion.
- Consistently and continuously assess intellectual capital over time in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiatives undertaken.
This R&D&I Policy is known and embraced by all members of AZTI and is also publicly available for consultation. It is updated through a process of continuous improvement whenever deemed appropriate.
Rogelio Pozo
Chief Executive Officer
AZTI
18 September 2018