The Ethical Dilemma of Research and Development Openness Versus Secrecy

Steve McMillan (), Ronald Duska, Robert Hamilton and Debra Casey

Journal of Business Ethics, 2006, vol. 65, issue 3, 279-285

Abstract: In previous research, we have argued that private companies should be more open with their scientific research findings. However, our research assumed, somewhat naively perhaps, that public institutions were quite open. Recent findings have suggested otherwise, and in this paper we explore the dilemma faced by industry, universities, and society in attempting to balance the needs of openness (to rapidly advance the body of knowledge), with secrecy (to protect the economic returns to a new innovation). Copyright Springer 2006

Keywords: Openness; secrecy; science; ethics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-005-5495-0

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