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Next issue: February 17, 2002
ANNOUNCEMENTS [Table of Contents]
Statistics Canada finds IT key in productivity growth during 1990s
In examining productivity across various sectors in the Canadian economy, Statistics Canada cites the introduction of information technology as an important ingredient to successful gains in several industries. The financial sector, the report notes, has been restructured to operate much more through IT than through traditional face-to-face contacts. Likewise, IT played a part in the restructuring of retailing activities with the introduction of bar code and scanning technology and inventory management systems. These two industries reported very strong growth of IT capital during the late 1990s. The report also notes that there may be links between IT and productivity at the firm level in other industries which do not translate as readily into industry trends because of various factors.
EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents]
Understanding Entrepreneurship Promotion as an Economic Development Strategy: A Three-State Survey
National Commission on Entrepreneurship, Center for Regional Economic
Competitiveness
This report looks examines the current status of entrepreneurial development, an increasingly popular practice among economic developers but one that has up to now not been supported by much data. Focusing on three U.S. states, the authors compile facts on the number of entrepreneurial development programs in existence, their funding as well as the core features of a typical entrepreneurial development organization. The final section of the report looks at performance measures used in the evaluation of entrepreneurial development. In conclusion recommendations on program design and operation are made so as to make the practice sustainable.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents]
Government Industry Partnerships for Development of New Technologies
Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy
This review of public-private partnerships in the U.S. is comprehensive in scope, identifying best practices that can guide future policymaking. Partnerships, it is argued, provide an important role in accelerating the development of new technologies from ideas to market and give an institutional structure for linking the various participants of the U.S. innovation system. Moreover, because they are flexible, partnerships are found to be an effective means to rapidly focus diverse expertise and innovative technologies to counter new threats. The report highlights the need to provide support for basic and applied research across a broad range of disciplines, especially in relatively neglected disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Organizational Learning in Multinationals: R&D Networks of Japanese and U.S. MNEs in the U.K.
A. Lam Brunei University
This paper examines the ways in which national patterns of organization and innovation affect Japanese and U.S. MNEs' global R&D networks and transnational learning. In particular, it focuses on how these MNEs tap into a foreign academic knowledge base and scientific labour through collaborative links with higher education institutions. Relative to many Japanese MNEs, the author finds that U.S. firms have developed a greater organizational capacity for coordinating globally dispersed learning and embedding themselves in local innovation networks largely because of their liberal institutional environment. By contrast, Japanese MNEs appear to be more limited in their transnational learning because of the much more tightly integrated organizational and business system within which they are embedded.
REGIONAL INNOVATION & CLUSTERS [Table of Contents]
C Hendry et al., City University, London
This study looks at the impact of the three levels of interaction – the local clusters, the national innovation policies and globalization effects - on the innovation of firms in two regions of the UK and Germany: Wales and Thuringia. While both are characterized by active regional policies, they provide a striking contrast in the orientation of their opto-electronics industries and the thrust of regional policy. The Welsh firms are generally older and more international, and regional policy seeks to build on this. In Thuringia, on the other hand, the aim is in keeping with that elsewhere in Germany: to develop a regional technology system that stresses the exchange of technology between the scientific infrastructure and innovating firms.
Rural Knowledge Clusters: The Challenge of Rural Economic Prosperity
L. Munnich et al, University of Minnesota
This report explores “rural knowledge clusters” as a model for high-performance rural economies. The rural knowledge cluster, which gives primacy to the importance of knowledge to cluster activity, is proposed as a way to address the lessons learned from applying the standard industry clusters model to rural economies. In validating this knowledge model, the authors examine three innovative rural Minnesota economies. The final sections explore the economic development implications of this rural knowledge cluster model, and the role that public policy could play in assisting with that development.
Joint Venture Silicon Valley
This year’s index reports on the dramatic shifts in the economic structure
and population profile of the area. As businesses struggle to recover from the latest boom-and-bust cycle,
software has become the driving economic source of jobs in the region, the
prominence of employment in the computer and related hardware sector has
declined, and the biomedical industry has emerged as a growth opportunity. As
for developments from the 37 indicators of economic vitality and quality of
life, the report finds a continued increase in productivity, extending a
ten-year upward trend, but total jobs, average pay and venture capital
investment have returned to near 1998 levels. Also, improvements in the local education system are
reported along with more permanently protected open space, more efficient
land use, and a greater dependence by municipalities on sales tax and fee
revenue.
STATISTICS [Table of Contents]
Survey of Innovation: Statistical tables, manufacturing industries, Canada
A series of statistical tables based on results of the 1999 Survey of Innovation is now available. This document includes a description of survey methodology and statistical tables for manufacturing industries at the national level for all non write-in questions. Survey data are compiled in the following categories: competitive environment, percentage of innovative firms, sources of information, objectives, problems and obstacles, impact, cooperative and collaborative arrangements, research and development, intellectual property, and government support programs.
17th CEIES seminar: The new economy — Key measurement issues
Eurostat
Here is a complete summary, papers included, from the 2002 CEIES Seminar looking at measurement issues of the new economy. Papers pertain to definitional and statistical aspects of the new economy as well as international and macroeconomic issues. Titles include: ‘The Rise And Fall Of The U. S. New Economy’; ‘Eurostat’s Recent Work On The Measurement Of The Information Society’; and ‘The New Economy – Key Measurement Issues In International Comparisons’.
EVENTS [Table of Contents]
CITO InnoTalk - Securing Venture Capital For Your Early-Stage Technology Based Business
Waterloo, 4 February, 2003
This InnoTalk will explore the early-stage venture capital process. Topics will include: developing a business concept that venture capitalists will be interested in financing, what to include in your pitch to venture capitalists, tips for obtaining venture capital in this market, understanding venture capital deal structures (term sheets, due diligence), and what to expect after you get venture capital.
Talk: Making a
Difference: Canada’s Influence on International Science
Ottawa, 10 February
As guest speaker for the Canada Foundation For Innovation’s 5th annual public meeting, Michael Gibbons, Secretary General, Association of Commonwealth Universities, will be discussing Canada’s impact on the international science community.
Technology Clusters – By Accident or Design?
Ottawa, 19 February, 2003
Organized by Re$earch Money, this conference will bring together some of Canada’s most experienced practitioners in creating economic activity around technology in different regions of the country. These include investors, community leaders, industry leaders and representatives from different levels of government. The one-day program includes 5 sessions that will look at the concept of clusters and their development as well as the investor and government perspectives on clusters.
Tech~Expo: The Discovery Marketplace
Toronto, 26 February 2003
This event brings together promising advanced research from university, community college and government laboratories, businesses looking for commercialization opportunities, and technology and business advisors. The focus will be on information technology, software, microelectronics and communications. The one-day program features short, information packed presentations, networking, partnering and technology transfer opportunities that can drive product and manufacturing innovation.
Jump-Starting Innovation: Government, Universities and Entrepreneurs
Raleigh, NC 10 & 11 February, 2003
This 2003 Emerging Issues Forum at North Carolina State University will assess traditional means of economic development and analyze new strategies for fostering high-growth entrepreneurial firms and applying new technologies to traditional firms. At the center of these discussions will be the proper and most effective roles for research universities in a knowledge-driven economy. Panels include: Innovation and an Entrepreneurial Culture; Innovation and Rural Economy; States and Technology-Led Economic Development National Perspectives; States and Technology-Led Economic Development State Perspective; New Roles for Universities and Community Colleges in Economic Development; and University Research Alliances.
Knowledge And Economic And Social Change: New Challenges To Innovation Studies
Manchester, 7-9 April, 2003
The purpose of this conference is to bring together the innovation studies community to focus on the current developments in the global economy, in technologies, and in political systems that are continuing to pose new challenges to analysis. Topics include: the increasing importance of the role of knowledge in the operation of the global economy; and the qualitative change in the conditions under which knowledge is exploited to create wealth, to improve the quality of life, and to move towards a sustainable ecosystem, economy and society. The conference is organized by Advances in the Economic and Social Analysis of Technology and the Institute of Innovation Research.
The Knowledge-based Economy: New Challenges in Methodology, Theory and Policy
Augsburg, Germany 9-12 April 2003
This 3rd European Meeting of Applied Evolutionary Economics focuses on the most important aspects of knowledge-based economies within the framework of evolutionary economics. Conference themes include: knowledge and learning; dynamics of technological and qualitative change; industrial organization in a knowledge-based economy; evolution of institutions financial markets in knowledge-based economies; and policy in a knowledge-based economy. Deadline for submission of extended abstracts: October 18, 2002.
Evaluation
of Government Funded R&D Activities
Vienna, 15-16 May, 2003
The aim of this conference is to discuss recent scientific contributions to the understanding of the effects and implications of government funded R&D activities. It will focus on recent theoretical, qualitative and quantitative studies and the exploration of different approaches to evaluate their effects. An applied workshop with policy makers will be organized on “What we know and what we should know about evaluation of technology policy” at the end of the conference. Deadline for submission of abstracts: February 2003, 15th.
Innovation through Collaboration: Clusters, Networks, Alliances
Manchester, 8-11 June, 2003
This conference aims to address the issues associated with collaboration in the context of recent research which suggests that as many as 50-70% of strategic alliances will fail within four years due to a vast array of cultural, political, technological and commercial factors. It will provide a forum for academics, business people and consultants to discuss these issues in depth by presenting the latest academic papers, delivering company presentations on the subject and running interactive workshops. Selected proceedings will be published in a special edition of The Journal of Enterprising Culture. The conference is organized by the International Society for Professional Innovation Management.
Creating, Sharing And Transferring Knowledge: The role of Geography, Institutions, Organizations
Copenhagen, 12-14
June, 2002
The conference has four main objectives: to contribute to a more satisfactory understanding of the mechanisms underlying the way in which knowledge is created, shared and transferred; to examine the promoting or inhibiting effect of particular circumstances of organizational context, institutional setting or geographical configuration, such as cities and agglomerations or clusters; to investigate arrangements particularly capable of enhancing, capturing and utilizing end consumer knowledge; and to consider the implications for managerial strategy and public policy. Both senior and junior scholars are invited to participate and contribute with a paper to the conference.
Communities and technologies (C&T 2003)
Amsterdam or Bonn, 19-21 September, 2003
This international conference is a forum for stimulating and disseminating research into all facets of communities and information technology. Attendees represent multidisciplinary research efforts from applied computer science and social science. The 2003 conference will focus on presentations and discussion of empirical and conceptual research on a wide range of topics including (Virtual) Community formation and development; Virtual communities vs. location-based communities; Digital cities, and Design methods for communityware. The deadline for submission of full research papers is March 14, 2003.
What
Do We Know About Innovation? A Conference in Honour of Keith Pavitt
Brighton, 13-15 November, 2003
This conference is in recognition of the lifetime contribution of Professor Keith Pavitt to the study of innovation. Keith's work was based on a deep empirical understanding of innovation and firm behaviour, and he placed particular emphasis on the development of new data, methods, and taxonomies. His contributions spanned economics, management and science and technology policy. The conference is organized around the major themes of his work, including the structure, dynamics and management of innovation processes, the relationship between basic research and technical change, knowledge and the theory of the firm, the globalization of R&D, and science and technology policy.
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.
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