One of the challenges facing our scientific, research and commercial communities is how to optimise the economic benefit from the substantial amount of public funds which are invested in R&D. The problem is frequently alluded to, particularly within the guise of a debate about how to achieve better integration between the activities of commerce and academia. Typical policy responses have been to develop bridging mechanisms and structures to link the activities of academia and business. This paper looks at the effectiveness of such initiatives, and discusses why cultural change within the scientific community is necessary before structural and administrative approaches will achieve the improved commercial results from publicly funded research that taxpayers rightfully seek. This paper looks at the underlying issues which need to be considered in the design of more effective strategies and provides some guidelines for the creation of more effective approaches.