The Australian (now Australasian) Industrial Research Group founded in 1964. Its objectives were clearly set out from the beginning. These were,

• to improve the quality of research management in Australia, and,
• to stimulate and develop an understanding of research as a force in economic, industrial and social activities.

During the 1970's, AIRG initiated the formation of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, which was based on the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Since 1967 AIRG formed links with kindred organisations operating in other countries, such as the Industrial Research Institute (IRI) of the US, EIRMA (Europe), JATES (Japan), KITA (Korea), AIRI (Italy) and ANPEI (South America). These are maintained via regular contacts and visits by members to their conferences.

More recently, New Zealand research managers have joined the AIRG.  In consequence, the AIRG has changed its name to the Australasian Industrial Research Group.

MISSION

AIRG revised its Strategic Plan in 1993 and set out its Mission Statement as,

"to enhance the effectiveness of industrial research in Australia and New Zealand"

The principal objective of the AIRG is to be a well-recognised peak body representing science-based innovation and technological development in Australian and New Zealand business. The group aims to,

• provide regular meetings where members are exposed to issues of importance to their roles
• provide a range of networking opportunities on issues relevant to their roles
• provide development opportunities for members and their high potential staff
• effectively represent its membership on key policies affecting them

STRUCTURE

The AIRG is divided into three geographic divisions:

• Northern Division, comprising New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory,
• Southern Division comprising Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
• New Zealand Division, comprising the North and South Islands of New Zealand

The Executive of the AIRG comprises:

• a President
• Immediate Past President
• Northern Division Chairperson
• Southern Division Chairperson
• New Zealand Division Chairperson
• Treasurer
• Membership Coordinator
• Program Coordinator
• Executive Officer

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MEETINGS

The AIRG Annual Conference is held in February each year over two days, usually in Melbourne.

The other national meeting is the Winter Meeting held in Canberra during August.

Divisional meetings are held in Sydney and Melbourne, generally on a quarterly basis as evening meetings based around dinner and a speaker on a topic of interest to AIRG members.

Occasional topical meetings may be held as mini-conferences.

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MEMBERSHIP

Membership is available to those companies or organisations demonstrating a clear engagement in science-based innovation or R&D . Membership is available on a company basis and each company can have two members as its Company Representatives. These representatives should be senior executives who are responsible for science-based innovation or R&D within that business. Both representatives have full voting and other rights within the organisation. Additional non-voting company members can be added for a small fee.

Affiliate Membership is also available to representatives from public research agencies, universities and service groups with interests in science and innovation.

AIRG members who have left a full-time role in business, to either retire or develop consulting activities, and who wish to retain contact with AIRG, can join as Associate Members.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

1. Broad opportunities for involvement in debate on technological innovation, particularly with respect to existing and emerging global forces that influence innovation in Australian & New Zealand.

2.         Participation in benchmarking discussions on best practice R&D management and organisational issues within Australian & New Zealand businesses to identify and promote more effective operations in the field of R&D and technology management in general.

3.        Access to conferences, forums and material delivered by experts in the field of technological innovation and R&D management, concentrating on aspects of present-day management that are critical to high levels of competitive performance.
 a.        The primary forum is the annual conference which historically alternates between Sydney and Melbourne with the 2009 conference to be held in Melbourne in February.
 b.        The second major forum is the Canberra meeting, held at Parliament House in August or September each year with access to the relevant ministers, shadow ministers and bureaucrats giving the opportunity to influence current and future policy development.
 c.        Member-company representatives have the opportunity to directly influence the theme and selection of topics and speakers at the annual conference and Canberra meeting.
 d.        Informal dinner meetings featuring a guest speaker are held in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand at least twice annually.

4.         Regular opportunities both formal and informal at conferences, dinner and other forums, to build a network of contacts among fellow members, peers, politicians and bureaucrats and in the field of technological innovation.

5.         Awareness and clarification of government policies affecting technological innovation, and the opportunity to influence policy development in this area. Direct influence is encouraged through AIRG initiated round table meetings with, and written submissions to, state and federal department leaders, politicians and advisors

6.         Access to forums and material delivered by experts in the field of technological innovation, concentrating on aspects of present-day management that are critical to high levels of competitive performance.

7.         Access to output from Research on Research projects and working parties through the AIRG strategic relationship with the US based Industrial Research Institute (IRI) and the ability to benchmark with other organisations early in the process.

8.         Subscription to “Research-Technology Management”, the bi-monthly journal of IRI. Articles cover the spectrum of technological innovation, from R&D through product development to marketing.  RTM is a leading source of knowledge and best practices on innovation management for leaders of research, development, and engineering worldwide.

9.         Subscription to “Focus” the bi-monthly issues magazine of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)

10.      Effective linkages with ATSE, IRI and EIRMA (the European Industrial Research Management Association) and opportunities to register for their events.