A typology of impact pathways generated by a public agricultural research organization

This paper builds a typology of impact pathways generated by an agricultural public research organization, namely INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research). The typology is built by codifying 32 standardized case studies providing rich qualitative information about the impact pathway and a quantitative assessment of a vector of impacts. We identify five classes of typical impact pathways characterized by specific mechanisms related to the positioning and role of actors in various networks of translation. One Class is characterized by long-term partnerships, generating high impacts. INRA coordinates complex research projects and structures the diffusion process to facilitate market access. In a second Class INRA conducts long term risky collaborative projects thanks to accumulated knowledge and infrastructures. Impacts are high. Market for technologies cases are pooled in Class 3 and correspond to classical IP commercialization. Impacts are lower. Cases in Class 4 are technological options allowing new possible uses that encounter diffusion obstacles. Class 5 encompasses all cases with political impacts as main dimension.