Issue #36 March 15, 2002
Studies
& Publications: Announcements | Editor's Pick | Innovation Policy | Regions &
Clusters | Local
Dev.
Events
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Next issue: April 2, 2002
ANNOUNCEMENTS [Table of Contents]
Premier’s Research Excellence Awards honour western Ontario researchers
Twenty-three researchers representing four Ontario universities have received Premier’s Research Excellence Awards (PREA) for which they will receive up to $100,000 from the Ontario government and $50,000 from their university. “By celebrating research excellence”, announced Energy, Science and Technology Minister Wilson, “the Awards encourage the innovation and discoveries that will generate jobs and economic prosperity and create a better quality of life for us all. The Awards also contribute to Ontario’s ‘brain gain’ – by providing our younger scientists with the support they need to undertake leading-edge research right here in Ontario.”
Two-thirds of Silicon Valley students in grades 8 and 11 do not plan to pursue high-technology careers, according to a survey of 2,500 local students that is part of a study by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network. Of students not planning on technology careers, a substantial number have negative perceptions of these professions: 39 percent said that high-tech careers are uninteresting; 25 percent said these jobs are intimidating. The student-survey conducted in late 2000 is part of the 2002 Workforce Study: Connecting Today's Youth with Tomorrow's Technology Careers, which calls for stronger linkages between students and high-tech career opportunities, especially among Hispanic students and female students.
EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents]
The Innovation Systems Research Network: An Experimental Design for Knowledge Management
ISRN Management Committee, University of Toronto
This paper, prepared for the funding councils of the Innovation Systems Research Network (ISRN), summarizes some of the key research findings of the network's members during its first three years of existence. The report identifies the unique features of the ISRN, including its highly regionalized structure and strong linkages with relevant groups in the different parts of the country. It outlines some of the different areas in which ISRN members have conducted research and the key research tools used. It concludes with a summary of the major policy implications of the research findings to date.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents]
The role of information and communications
technology in business sector growth – 1981 to 2000
According to Statistics Canada, heavy investment in information and communications technology (ICT) by Canadian businesses during the past two decades was a major factor in the accelerating growth in the business sector's economic output in last half of the 1990s. From 1981 to 2000, real business investment in ICT grew at an annual average rate of 16.2%, far outpacing investment in most other types of assets. ICT includes computer hardware, computer software and telecommunications equipment. Despite this rapid growth, however, ICT equipment remains a small share of the business sector's aggregate capital.
Benchmarking studies: Business Incubators & Administration of Business Start-ups
Here are two comprehensive reports, commissioned by the European Commission and prepared by the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services, comparing national practices in business incubators and administrative processes related to business start-ups. The first report identifies best practices and key business incubator functions and concludes with an evaluation of their services and impacts. The second report compares the administrative effectiveness among member states in registering a new business in the interest of improving and simplifying the business environment for start-ups. Benchmarks include the time, cost and capital needed to complete mandatory procedures, the number of administrative processes, and qualifications and licenses that an entrepreneur must obtain whilst setting up an enterprise.
The Future of Science and Technology in the States
This series of studies on the prospects of science and technology in various US states and regions is intended to help lawmakers and the research community better understand the current state of federal support for R&D and the impacts of federal R&D spending. Each state study gives overviews of federal funding to state firms, universities and colleges, federal laboratories and other science and technology organizations. Also included is a summary of science and technology initiatives at the state level.
Innovating Firms and Aggregate Innovation
TJ Klette, S. Kortum, NBER
In this paper, the authors develop a model of innovating firms that captures the dynamic behavior of individual heterogeneous firms, describes the evolution of an industry with simultaneous entry and exit, and delivers a general equilibrium model of technological change. While unifying the theoretical analysis of firms, industries, and the aggregate economy, the model yields insights into empirical work on innovating firms. It accounts for the persistence over time of firms' R&D investment, the concentration of R&D among incumbent firms, and the link between R&D and patenting. Furthermore, it explains why R&D as a fraction of revenues is strongly related to firm productivity yet largely unrelated to firm size or growth.
Benchmarking National Research and
Technology Development policies.
Here are some preliminary results from a benchmarking study by the European Commission on national research and technology development (RTD) policies among member states. The indicators highlight an RTD expenditure that is lower than that of the USA and Japan- and increasingly so - largely due to under-investment in the private sector. Analysis of RTD policies yields several common trends including substantial cuts in direct public funding to large companies, continued direct public support to SMEs, support for the creation of new-technology-based firms and targeted funding for science-enterprise and enterprise-enterprise collaborations. The report notes that these trends reflect a more general change of attitude, dictated by the need for more efficient spending. “Public authorities now see their role in providing not just funds but also the framework conditions.”
REGIONAL INNOVATION & CLUSTERS [Table of Contents]
Regional Typology of Innovation Needs (RETINE)
E. Muller, Fraunhofer ISI
This report to the European Commission is the result of a project that sought to better identify and understand the innovation-related needs of the firm at a regional level and from a policy perspective. Along with presenting up-to-date theoretical perspectives on regional development, innovation-related needs and policy support, the report provides measurement tools and statistical procedures for identifying regional clusters in Europe and for establishing a regional typology of innovation needs. This is followed by field studies in Alsace and Baden, a comparative analysis with US innovation related policies and an examination of lessons learned from the project.
R&D-Cooperation and the Efficiency of
Regional Innovation Activities
Michael Fritsch, Technical
University Bergakademie Freiberg
This article analyzes differences in R&D cooperation behavior between manufacturing
establishments in a number of European regions. The guiding question behind
this investigation is in how far differences in cooperation behavior can
contribute to explaining divergent efficiency of R&D activities between
these regions. Does a relatively high degree of cooperation in the field of
innovation lead to high efficiency of the innovation process, as is suggested
in the literature? The authors find some
significant differences in the attitude towards R&D cooperation, as well
as with regard to the efficiency of R&D activities between the regions.
However, these two issues appear to a large degree empirically unrelated,
suggesting that the role of R&D cooperation in regional innovation
systems remains unclear.
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT [Table of Contents]
Inventory of economic and labour force development projects in the city of Toronto
The ICE Committee (the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Labour Force Development in Toronto) has released a new inventory of economic and labour force development projects in the City of Toronto. An on-going project of the ICE Committee, the inventory has been expanded to include not only intergovernmental projects but also government programs related to economic and labour force development. The first part of the inventory includes programs of all three levels of government with a connection to economic or labour force development in the City of Toronto. The second part of the inventory includes projects or initiatives in the City of Toronto that have a direct impact on economic or labour force development and that have the current support of two or more levels of government.
EVENTS [Table of Contents]
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.
European forum on business incubation:
Accelerating, Connecting, Enabling 
Paris, 21 & 22 March 2002
This first European forum on business incubation will provide leading edge insights on how business incubators can succeed at ‘Accelerating, Connecting and Enabling’ young entrepreneurs businesses. Speakers will include leading venture capitalists, business angels, seed fund managers, investment bankers, government officials and senior managers of business incubators who will share with attendees critical information on best practices.
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. See also the preprogram booklet and registration form.
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.
Fifth Annual Milken Institute Global
Conference: Building Prosperity in an Interdependent World
Los Angeles, 22-24 April, 2002
For this year’s Global Conference, The Milken Institute is joined by
Forbes in producing the Global Conference that will host more than 100 expert
panelists in debates of top issues on some 30 panels. The world’s foremost
business executives, financiers and money managers will join leading
scientists, academics, Nobel laureates and the media in examining the events
of the past year, putting them in historical perspective, and debating what
lies ahead. Sub-themes include: Financial
Capital, Business: "The Real Economy", Global Issues, Regional
Realities Human Capital, Social Capital.
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.
CABI's 11th Annual Conference on
Business Incubation
Toronto, 1-3 May, 2002
This year’s Canadian Association of Business Incubators conference features wide range of plenary sessions on most aspects of business incubators. These include best models for incubation, best practices in program development, incubators and their role in cluster creation, marketing, financing and impact measurement.
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.
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.
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.
Toronto, 20-23 October, 2002
SIGDOC is the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group in Documentation, a professional organization dedicated to advancing discussion in documentation for and with computers. This year’s SIGDOC conference will include invited talks, panel discussions, posters, demonstrations, and tutorials on the following subjects: connecting theory and practice; connecting education and experience; connecting technical communications; and other disciplines, such as human factors, information retrieval, and software engineering. Deadline for submission of proposals is April 6th.
WILL YOU BE ONE OF OUR REGIONAL REPORTERS? [Table of Contents]
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This newsletter is prepared by Tijs Creutzberg.
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