Validating a balanced score card benefit assessment framework indicator set : the case of the South African National Roads Agency Ltd SOC Research and Development Programme

Abstract

Investment in Research and Development (R&D) is scrutinised where funding is limited such as in developing counties. There is therefore an increased emphasis on benefit and impact assessment tools and systems for such R&D programmes. In sectors like roads and transport, deliverables from R&D could include new materials and equipment. However, it usually, and more often, delivers novel design methods, new techniques and models for enhancing transport system performance and free software for use by professionals in the industry. The nature of these “soft” deliverables complicates the measurement of the performance of R&D in roads and transport. The South African Roads Agency Ltd SOC (SANRAL) developed a Balanced Score Card (BSC) with associated indicators that can be used to monitor the performance of its research programme across the full innovation value chain. This article aims to review the indicator set by assessing its balance in terms of SANRAL’s systems-based R&D model, by evaluating it against the SANRAL strategic objectives and through a survey among 175 stakeholders and researchers. It was found that the indicator set is well balanced and addresses all aspects of the innovation value chain.