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Next issue: March 15, 2002
ANNOUNCEMENTS [Table of Contents]
New Innovation Newsletter from Alberta
A new innovation newsletter has been launched in Alberta by The Centre for Innovation Studies in partnership with Calgary Technologies Inc. (both are partners of Innocom, the Western Canada network of ISRN). The purpose of the newsletter is to communicate news and information of interest to individuals involved with innovation in Alberta active in industry, government or university. The Centre for Innovation Studies (THECIS) is an Alberta wide initiative to establish a centre of excellence to expand knowledge of innovation dynamics and share that information with others. It is an independent centre, with strong links to industry, university and government. For further information visit their web site at www.thecis.ca.
The Canadian Tax Advantage: Canada’s new corporate taxes rates lower than in the U.S.
As an outcome of the Government of Canada’s Five-Year Tax Reduction Plan of 2000, the Department of Finance reports that Canada will have a tax advantage for investment and entrepreneurship as compared to the U.S by 2005. For large and medium large- and medium-sized businesses, the average corporate tax rate will be 5% lower than in the U.S. by 2005, and for small business, rates will be ‘significantly lower’ than in the U.S. for income above C$75,000. The plan also reduced the capital gains inclusion rate to one-half and gives generous 20% R&D tax credits on all expenditures, compared to the U.S. 20-per-cent credit for incremental R&D.
California Doubles Number of Regional Technology Alliances
The Governor of California, Gray Davis, has announced the award of three grants to support the creation of new Regional Technology Alliances (RTA) for the Inland Empire, San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento/Capital regions. The three new non-profit organizations join existing RTAs in Los Angeles, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay area to provide decentralized business support services for innovative, California-based technology firms. Because the RTAs are designed by the tech community within the particular service area, each RTA offers regionally-customized approaches to technical assistance, securing financing, and other business support. The three new RTAs, expected to open by May, will receive $200,000 in state matching grants from the California Technology Investment Partnership (CalTIP). [Source: SSTI] For a 1998 background document on RTAs please see SSTI’s publication California’s Regional Technology Alliances.
New web-based magazine: Innovation Canada
The Canadian Foundation of Innovation has come out with a new web-publication featuring research news and stories based on the infrastructure projects that receive CFI support and research successes that have been made possible with the support of a wide range of public, private, and voluntary organizations. The magazine is intended to demonstrate, in an informative and entertaining format, ‘the highest level of accountability and care in investing public funds that support the development of world-class research projects at universities and research institutions.’
EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents]
Strategic Planning in the Technology-Driven World: A Guidebook for Innovation-Led Development
This report prepared by the Collaborative Economics team for the Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce is designed to help economic development practitioners adopt a realistic, principles-based approach to strategic planning, one that is applicable to areas with widely different technology assets. Based on 'best practices' from across the United States, the recommended planning process captures both the real-world expertise and creativity necessary for success in an ever-changing, technology-driven world. The report is highly recommended reading for all those municipalities and communities interested in responding to the priority in Industry Canada's Innovation Paper using federal funding to develop innovation strategies tailored to their unique circumstances. According to the strategy, communities would be expected to engage local leaders from the academic, private and public sectors in formulating their innovation strategies. This Guidebook provides an invaluable resource for helping them organize these strategic planning exercises.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents]
Statistics Canada
This January 2002 issue of the Innovation Analysis Bulletin is once again
replete with informative analysis on several relevant and interesting
topics. Contents include an analysis of IP
protection practices by manufacturing firms, a profile of spin-off firms in
the biotechnology sector, a comparison of Canadian and European surveys of
innovation and, an examination of the use of biotechnology in Canadian
industry, the data of which is drawn from the 1999 Biotechnology Use & Development Survey. Also notable is a summary by Dr. Fred Gault, Director of Statistics Canada’s
Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division, of what has
been learned during the life of the Bulletin.
R&D
and Long-Term Competitiveness: Manufacturing's Central Role in a
Knowledge-Based Economy
G. Tassey, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Here is an excellent report examining the essential role of manufacturing R&D in an innovative economy. Although manufacturing accounts for only 17% of U.S. GDP, it is responsible for 70% of U.S. industrial R&D. Moreover, the author points out that the services sector depends on the manufacturing sector for much of its R&D, and suggests that U.S. federal R&D funding be targeted towards gaps in industrial technology research and development, through support for long-term, high-risk generic or fundamental technologies. "Such support helps provide generic technology platforms, which enable the much larger private sector investments in applied R&D that lead to multiple commercial applications. These programs must be timed to coincide with the emergence of new technology life cycles and directed to industries in the relevant supply chains that will ultimately conduct the applied R&D to achieve commercialization." [Source: Manufacturing News]
Benchmarking Innovation Systems: Government
Funding for R&D
Erik Frinking et al., RAND Europe & Gaia group; commissioned by
TEKES, Finland
Here is a comparative analysis of institutional structures and processes related to government funding for R&D for 7 countries (5 European and 2 Asian), commissioned by TEKES, Finland’s National Technology Agency. In its examination of institutional structures, the study identifies the main organizations involved, their role and function in policy design along with the linkages among these organizations. The study also focuses on organizational structures, distinguishing among different types of structures, their legal set-up and related funding instruments.
Special Issue on New Science and Technology
Indicators
This issue of the OECD’s STI Review presents a collection of seven papers on the subject of new science and technology indicators. Titles include ‘Investment in Knowledge’ by M. Khan, ‘Constructing Internationally Comparable Indicators on the Mobility of Highly Qualified Workers: A Feasibility Study’ by M. Åkerblom, ‘Improving Measures of Government Support to Industrial Technology’ by A. Young and, ‘Measuring the Value of R&D Tax Treatment in OECD Countries’ by J. Warda. [Available free of charge via Ingenta]
State Aid Scoreboard, second edition
With the intention of increasing transparency and to raise awareness for
the need of State aid control, State Aid Scoreboard has become a yearly
exercise by the European Commission for monitoring grants to industry. This
second edition, which includes statistics of state aid by sector, for R&D
and innovation, and venture capital, seeks to encourage member states to re-evaluate
national aid policies and assess whether the grant of State aid is always the
most appropriate instrument to correct certain market failures.
REGIONAL INNOVATION & CLUSTERS [Table of Contents]
Municipal Finance and the Pattern of Urban Growth.
This paper, prepared by municipal finance consultant Enid Slack on behalf of the C.D. Howe Institute, argues that cities use municipal taxes - frequently their only source of generating revenue - in a manner that encourages low-density growth. The author argues that cities should introduce user fees for services to outlying areas, thereby correcting the over-taxation of apartment and urban house dwellers, to whom delivering services is cheaper. A system that fails to match property taxes with services received may inhibit property improvement and lower the density of development, and is likely to affect business location.
C-Prosperity: Calgary Region's industry economic cluster initiative
Here is the website for Calgary’s economic cluster development action
plan, a new initiative that seeks to bring together government, business and
community leaders to assess its economy and develop action plans that move
the region forward. The
initiative is part of the implementation of Calgary’s Community Strategy for Sustainable
Prosperity, a strategic report, released in 2000, outlining
priority directions for the Calgary region.
The Greater Edmonton Competitiveness Strategy: Taking Stock After the First Year
Western Centre for Economic Research (WCER), University of Alberta
This evaluation of the Greater Edmonton Competitiveness Strategy (GECS), which follows one year of implementation, evaluates the strategy’s performance according to its objectives and compares it with other regions employing similar strategies. Also reviewed are the factors that may have influenced the implementation process. Among the findings from its survey were: a majority of respondents felt the strategy had enhanced the success of their firm and spawned new business and entrepreneurial ideas; and, in general, the cluster strategies developed and empowered by the GECS have made good progress towards institutionalizing themselves. The evaluation concludes with recommendations for action and follow-up assessments.
Higher education-business interaction
survey
D. Charles & C. Conway, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
This report analyzes the results of a survey, commissioned by England’s Funding Council, HEFCE, of 169 institutions of higher education for the period 1999-2000. Among the factors examined were institutional strategies, collaborative research, intellectual property, consulting activities, spin-off firms and economic regeneration activities. Where appropriate, comparisons have been made with Canadian and U.S. universities.
EVENTS [Table of Contents]
Regional Governance in an Age of Globalization
Stuttgart, 8-9 March, 2002
This conference aims to examine and advance theories and practices in understanding regional governance in an age of globalization. The focus will be on globalization and its impact on subnational governments around the world with a particular interest in the intersection of the international with the local and regional and how this phenomenon is affecting the development of international and transnational relations on the one hand, and governance internationally, nationally, and subnationally on the other. The influence of unprecedented technological change on globalization and governance is also of interest to the conference organizers.
Knowledge Management: Turning Knowledge Into Profit
Toronto, 19 March, 2002
Moderated by Bruce Sellery, Host of Report on Business Television's "On the Money", this forum will examine the key issues that determine knowledge management success for enterprises of all sizes. A panel of experts will discuss the many facets of knowledge management and the key enabling technologies that maximize the ROI associated with its implementation. Panel members include Heidi Amponsem, Principal Consultant, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Doug McCuaig, VP, eBusiness Services, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Lisa Taylor, eBusiness Team Lead, Hewlett-Packard
Rethinking Science Policy: Analytical Frameworks for Evidence-based Policy
Brighton, 21-23 March, 2002
This conference focuses on new
models for science policy, exploring the European context where traditional
foundations for science policy have been increasingly questioned during the
last few decades of science policy research as policymakers search for new
methods of harnessing scientific investigation. Twenty-six new papers, including
eight invited papers by leading authorities in the field of science policy,
will be presented.
3rd European Forum
for Innovative Enterprises
Stockholm,
8-9 April, 2002
This
3rd forum organized by the European Commission will continue the series of
innovation forums looking at the latest trends in creation and development of
innovative start-ups. The event is designed for PAXIS partners, decision makers at
local, regional and national levels, business support representatives,
financing organizations, participants in the technology transfer process and
other players involved in the start-up development. The Forum will look at
successful approaches for innovative start-up creation with discussions on
related policy issues involving Commissioner Liikanen, Mayors of European
cities and internationally renowned innovation specialists. Topics to be
covered include academia as business generator, cities as business incubators
and change as business opportunity.
The
Regional Innovation Forum Roundtable VII
Ottawa 8-9 April, 2002
This year’s Roundtable will focus on building emerging technology clusters for economic growth with the understanding that new technology waves will continue to drive regional economics. For this premier Ottawa event, internationally recognized speakers and experts on key emerging technologies will present perspectives for cluster growth. The Regional Innovation Forum for Ottawa is a joint initiative of the National Research Council, the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation and the Ottawa Life Sciences Council.
2002 Knowledge Management Conference: Driving Business Results through Knowledge Management
Toronto, 16-17 April, 2002
The
Conference Board of Canada’s 2002 Knowledge Management Conference examines
design, application and implementation with practical solutions, tools and
techniques related knowledge management. Questions to be addressed will be
how to organize for results, how to put business processes, technology and
people together and how to make knowledge management relevant to, and a
driver of, business results.
Ottawa, 23-24 April, 2002
This two day conference and trade show will bring together Canadian and International leaders, experts and visionaries in "smart" community development to explore application development, infrastructure technology and the community partnership building that leads to smart services implementation. With 50 conference speakers and a trade show with an attendance of over 8,000, the summit aims to provide all the necessary contacts, information and learning to help communities move in the "smart" direction. Keynote speakers include Dr Andrew Cohill, Director of the Blacksburg Electronic Village (BEV) at Virginia Tech, Lynn Anderson, VP Marketing, Hewlett Packard and Brad Westpfahl, Director, Government Industry Programs, IBM.
16th International Conference on Business Incubation: Explore Your World, Enrich Your Community
Toronto, 28 April - 1 May, 2002
Sponsored by the National Business Incubation Association and the Toronto
Business Development Centre this international conference brings together
industry leaders from around the world for four days of knowledge sharing and
networking. Along with
pre-conference workshops, the conference includes three days of educational
sessions and roundtable discussions covering incubation's latest topics.
Innovation in an Evolving Economy
Ottawa, 6-7 May, 2002
Statistics Canada’s Economic Conference 2002 will be focusing on the
investments required to meet the challenges of rapidly changing economic and
social realities. The event will include several plenary sessions featuring
invited guest speakers who are leading authorities in their fields. It will
also include presentations in which participants will discuss research
providing new perspectives on topics related to one of the following
sub-themes: ‘Investing in a competitive Canada’, ‘Investing in the global context’,
‘Investing in infrastructure’ and, ‘Investing in an innovative work force’.
Raleigh, (North Carolina), 6-8 June, 2002
In an effort to establish a critical dialogue on the social and ethical dimensions of ICT, ISTAS'02 will bring together ICT professionals, computer science and engineering educators, scholars in the humanities and social sciences, students and policymakers to discuss several important and topical themes. These include electronic publishing, ICT and democratic processes, intellectual property rights in the digital era, social implications of wireless technology and gender issues in ICT.
Industrial Dynamics of the New and Old Economy – who is embracing whom?
Copenhagen, 6-8 June, 2002
DRUID’s Summer Conference for 2002 aims to contribute to a more satisfactory understanding of the economic and organizational mechanisms underlying the current ICT-based technological and entrepreneurial growth dynamics and to examine the interface and spillovers between the new and old sectors of the economy. Plenary sessions will be organized along four themes: Technical Change, Corporate Dynamics & Innovation, Production and Use of Knowledge in the Old & New Economy, New Competition Policies and Intellectual Property Rights, and Organisation of Internet Industry Dynamics. Both senior and junior scholars are invited to participate and contribute with a paper to one of the parallel sessions, which will be part of the conference. Deadline for receipt of abstracts: end of February.
Beyond The Boundaries: Challenges Of Leadership, Innovation, Integration, And Technology
Rome, 25-29 June, 2002
Co-hosted by St. John’s University and the Russian Academy of Sciences,
this conference seeks to focus on unique perspectives on the critical issues
related to multi-cultural, economic, technological, social, legal, and
regulatory challenges public and private industries and organizations
encounter. The Conference will include contributed paper sessions, invited
and plenary presentations, case studies, round tables, panels, workshops and
forums. Deadline for receipt of abstracts or papers: March 15, 2002.
The International Conference on Management
Best Practices
Singapore, 4-6 September, 2002
The International Conference on Management Best Practices (ICOMB) is the first in a planned series of conferences addressing important and emerging issues in management practices. Organized by NUS-PSB Centre for Best Practices and Manchester School of Management, this first conference will theme comparative perspectives on best practices. The organizers invite practitioners and academics in the areas of management, economics, technology and science to present key aspects of their work or research to an international professional audience. Sub-themes for papers include ‘Systems and Processes’, ‘Responding to Change and External Developments’ and ‘National Issues and the Role of Best Practices’. Deadline for receipt of abstracts or papers: March 31, 2002,
Seventh International S&T Indicators
Conference
Karlsruhe, 25 - 28 September 2002
This conference, organized by The Fraunhofer ISI and the University of Karlsruhe, will look at whether appropriate indicators can clarify the debate on knowledge societies and the broad, radical conversion of modes of knowledge production that are claimed to accompany the shift. The main themes to be addressed include: trends and challenges in the development of novel, advanced S&T Indicators; validity and adequacy of S&T indicators; indicators reflecting modes of knowledge production; combination and integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches; and S&T Indicators for the assessment of policy effects. Deadline for submission of abstracts is April 30, 2002.
WILL YOU BE ONE OF OUR REGIONAL REPORTERS? [Table of Contents]
Yes, you! In an effort to improve our coverage of Ontario's regional economies in this newsletter, we are looking for a few people who are 'plugged in' to the latest local economic development and innovation happenings in their regions. All we ask is that you send us a short message once a month highlighting recent news and research initiatives from your region - please forward items that you would like to share with newsletter recipients, as well as other items of interest, to: onris.progris@utoronto.ca.
SUBSCRIPTIONS & COMMENTS [Table of Contents]
Please forward this newsletter to
anyone you think will find it of value. We look forward to collaborating with
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This newsletter is prepared by Tijs Creutzberg.
Project manager is David A. Wolfe.
