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Ontario's Regional Economic Development and Innovation NewsletterIssue #146
March 15, 2007
Studies & Publications: Announcements | Editor's Pick | Innovation Policy |Cities
and Regions Policy
Digest | Events
This newsletter is published by ONRIS at the Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto, and sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The views and ideas expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ontario Government. ANNOUNCEMENTS [Table of Contents] McGuinty Government Supports Automotive Innovation The McGuinty government is attracting high-value jobs and new investment by supporting Hamilton researchers who are exploring leading-edge auto manufacturing technology. The government is providing over $15 million to support the Hamilton Initiative for Automotive Manufacturing Innovation, led by David Wilkinson at McMaster University. The investment will help develop new technologies for producing lighter-weight, more cost-competitive cars. This will help strengthen Ontario's future as a leading auto and auto parts manufacturer, and create highly skilled jobs. The funding will leverage matching investments from 26 partners in industry and other fields. BioEnterprise Corporation, a commercialization
agent and technology accelerator has entered into a collaboration
agreement with Southwestern Ontario Bioproducts Innovation Network
(SOBIN), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing new
bioproducts and finding new uses for biobased feedstock in manufacturing
primarily in the automotive, chemical and energy industries. EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents] The 2007 State New Economy Index The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) This report employs 26 indicators to assess the extent to which the 50 state economies are structured according to the tenets of the New Economy. The changing economic landscape requires state economies to be innovative, globally-linked, entrepreneurial and dynamic, with an educated workforce and all sectors embracing the use of information technology. The report, which updates and expands on the 2002 State New Economy Index, ranks the states accordingly. The five states ranking the highest in 2007 are, in order of rank, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, and California. With these measures as a frame of reference, the report then outlines the next generation of innovative state-level public policies needed to meet the challenges of the New Economy and boost incomes of all Americans.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents] R&D Spillovers, Innovation Systems and the Genesis of Regional Growth in Europe Andres Rodriguez-Pose and Riccardo Crescenzi Research on the impact of innovation on regional
economic performance in Europe has fundamentally followed three approaches:
a) the Maine Comprehensive Research and Development Evaluation 2006 Over the last 10 years, the State of Maine has
invested more than $296 million into R&D – an impressive
figure for a state with an average population over the decade of just
over 1.3 million people. In approving a mid-decade injection of funds,
the state’s legislature skeptically or wisely asked the executive
branch to periodically conduct independent assessments of whether
or not the investment is worthwhile. In the Public Interest: Nine Points to Consider in Licensing University Technology This paper, written jointly by technology transfer officers from around the United States elaborates on nine key points that represent the product of their shared experience in licensing university technology. Briefly, these points are: 1. Universities should reserve the right to practice licensed inventions and to allow other nonprofit and governmental organizations to do so. 2. Exclusive licenses should be structured in a manner that encourages technology development and use. 3. Strive to minimize the licensing of “future improvements." 4. Universities should anticipate and help to manage technology transfer related conflicts of interest. 5. Ensure broad access to research tools. 6. Enforcement action should be carefully considered. 7. Be mindful of export regulations. 8. Be mindful of the implications of working with patent aggregators. And, 9. Consider including provisions that address unmet needs, such as those of neglected patient populations or geographic areas, giving particular attention to improved therapeutics, diagnostics and agricultural technologies for the developing world.
CITIES, CLUSTERS & REGIONS [Table of Contents] Reconnecting Massachusetts Gateway Cities: Lessons Learned and an Agenda for Renewal Mark Muro et al. Brookings Institution This report—prepared in partnership with
MassINC, a non-partisan Boston-based think tank—contends that
the future of one of the nation's most advanced state economies depends
in part on revitalizing its "Gateway Cities," the Commonwealth's
once-humming mill and manufacturing towns. Above all, the 11-city
study suggests that although the Massachusetts mill cities continue
to lose ground on measures of basic economic performance they nevertheless
hold out potential answers to some of the Commonwealth's thorniest
housing, sprawl, and workforce problems. Along the way, the study
provides a fresh look at a state economy that is at once spatially
uneven and increasingly in need of a new state-local partnership to
respond to those divides. STATISTICS & INDICATORS [Table of Contents] AUTM Licensing Survey Results by State - (and Canadian Province) Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) The survey, conducted annually by the nonprofit AUTM, provides quantitative information about licensing activities at U.S. and Canada universities, hospitals and research institutions. This year's format is slightly different, however. The 15th annual survey presents data accompanied by success stories and allows respondents to remain anonymous. Appendices also list institutions by the year their technology transfer activities began. The goal, AUTM states in its overview, is to see the number of survey respondents grow and encourage thoughtful discussion.
POLICY DIGEST [Table of Contents] Innovation America: Cluster Based Strategies for Growing State Economies Stu Rosenfeld, NGA This report delves deeply into the public policy dimensions of clusters, and their significance for regional economic development. The paper outlines issues about how to define and locate relevant clusters in policy jurisdiction, but focuses primarily on strategies to develop those clusters to maximize regional development. While policy focus in North America may be shifting from cluster to city-region development strategies, this report demonstrates that the two approaches are complementary. Determining the regional location of a state or province's clusters is the starting point of any cluster based strategy. Identifying clusters is still as much an art as a science, but a useful picture of clusters can be drawn by combining analysis of business sectors, employment and wage data with regional observations and interviewing key business leaders. In doing so, it is critical to avoid creating a definition and boundaries that are too narrow, that cannot adjust to constant change, or that discourage collaboration among clusters. Once clusters have been identified, the report outlines five initiatives that policy makers can use to support their growth.
Cluster Initiatives:
It is clear to most policy makers that cluster strategies are not silver bullets, but properly designed and applied, they can be used as one of several valuable tools to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and regional economic growth.
EVENTS [Table of Contents] Commercializing Photonics Technology (OPTICS Annual Members Meeting) Hamilton, 26 March, 2007 The Government of Ontario recently announced that it will spend $300M for commercializing university science. Your local photonics cluster, OPTIC, is getting a share of this. This year's AMM is your opportunity to let us know how you'd like to see OPTIC spend its new resources. Representatives from OPC, CPFC, INO and OCE will also be there to talk about how they can help you commercialize new science and technology.
Lisbon, Portugal, 2-5 April, 2007 This event by the Regional Studies Association will take place in Lisbon. Many topics will be discussed such as: developments in regional economics and spatial analysis; tourism, regional development and sustainability; knowledge, competition and cohesion; creativity, innovation and cultural economy, and global challenges for manufacturing and services.
Dublin, 19-20 April, 2007 The workshop will focus on how strategic policy intelligence tools
can, in a regional context, guide concrete innovation support measures.
In what way and to what extent can ongoing innovation policy instruments
absorb and implement policy intelligence?
Toronto, 24-27 April, 2007 BioFinance 2007 is a gathering of some of the most innovative minds
in the life science industries featuring presentations by senior management
from more than 100 Canadian, US and European life science companies.
The range of participating firms includes large publicly traded and
major private companies as well as early-stage opportunities. The companies
will highlight their development plans for new medicines and technologies
in the fields of cancer, cardiology, medical devices, neuroscience,
immunology, genomics, diagnostics and new research tools. BioFinance
2007 will feature a CEO Forum to address specific financing and management
issues relevant to Chief Executive Officers in life science companies.
It will also have specialty panels on topics including access to public
markets in the US and Europe, investing in medical technologies, pharma-biopharma
deals and early stage venture financing from private and public sources Hydrogen Fuel & Fuel Cells 2007: International Conference and Trade Show Vancouver, 29 April - 2 May, 2007 Today's energy challenges have no boundaries. Energy security, climate change, and clean air concerns challenge communities around the world. International research, business and policy collaborations are ensuring that technologies, such as hydrogen and fuel cells, will provide a sustainable future for generations. This conference and trade show will highlight these global activities and developments. Canada, and particularly Vancouver, boasts unrivalled hydrogen and fuel cell expertise. Don't miss out on the chance to explore BC's Hydrogen Highway, experience the latest in hydrogen and fuel cell innovations and visit the most advanced hydrogen and fuel cell research facility... the National Research Council's cutting-edge Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation.
Toronto, 1 May, 2007 Connect with people and speakers and discover what is next in innovation in Ontario. The program includes a keynote address from Ray Kurzweil, one of the worlds most respected thinkers and entrepreneurs. Sessions cover the issue of Technology Revolution, The Innovation Highway, Creating Value - Driving Success, Ideas to Income, Innovation and Technology Convergence, and the IP Debate.
Pacific Regional Science Conference Organization (PRSCO) 2007 Vancouver, 6-9 May, 2007 The central theme of the conference is "Creative City Regions: Examining Their Role in the Pacific Rim”. Cities have always been the crucible of culture and civilization, and the hubs of wealth creation, but today they face enormous challenges. Compounded by infrastructural, economic and social problems, dramatic changes are taking place. If cities are to flourish, there has to be a paradigm shift in the way they are managed, to draw fully on the talents and creativity of their own residents - businesses, city authorities and the citizens themselves. The host city, Vancouver, is a multicultural and diverse urban area with a high quality of life. It is poised to stage the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Join us at PRSCO 2007 when we shall examine the role of the `new economy’ and `cultural industries’ in Pacific Rim city regions. Paper submission deadline has been extended to February 28th, 2007.
Miami Beach, Florida, 13-17 May, 2007 IAMOT 2007 will provide an international technical forum for experts from industry and academia to exchange ideas and present results of ongoing research in the following tracks: Knowledge Management, Green Technologies, Social impact of technology development, MOT Education and Research / Corporate Universities, New Product/Service Development, National and Regional Systems of Innovation, Small and Medium Enterprises, Emerging Technologies, Technology Transfer, Marketing and Commercialization, Technology Foresight and Forecasting, Information and Communication Technology Management, The Integration of Technology and Business Strategies, R&D Management, Project and Program Management, Industrial and Manufacturing System Technologies / Supply Chain Management, New Forms of Organizations, Management of Technology in Developing Countries . Technological Alliances, Mergers and Acquisitions, Theory of Technology, Technology Incubation, Management of Technology for the Service Economy, Innovation/technological development and productivity
Singapore, 16-18 May, 2007 Organized for the first time in Asia, Triple Helix VI 2007 will provide a global forum for academic scholars from different disciplinary perspectives as well as policy makers, university administrators and private sector leaders from different countries to exchange and share new learning about the diverse emerging models of the entrepreneurial university, the changing dynamics of University- Industry-Government interactions around the world and the complex roles of the university in local, regional and national economic development.
Toronto, 28 May - 1 June, 2007 Toronto’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry cluster will come together to celebrate being the largest high-tech hub in Canada and the third largest in North America. During this event a series of activities will be undertaken to showcase the depth and breath of Toronto’s high technology sector. These will include trade associations’ events such as seminars and business networking functions, job fairs, collaboration demonstrations, an ICT business open door program, school projects, educational seminars, special exhibits showcasing innovation & excellence and other ICT sector- related activities. An organizing committee formed by ICT industry stakeholders representing a cross-section of this industry, in both the private and public sectors, has been formed to implement this initiative
Photonics North 2007 - Closing the Gap Between Theory, Development and Application Ottawa, 4-7 June, 2007 Conference topics include, but are not limited to: biophotonics, fiber lasers and amps, guided wave devices, industrial applications, new optical materials and nanophotonics, optical sensors and detectors, optics and photonics in defence and security, photonics design and simulations, photonics devices and networks, and ultrashort pulse lasers. The call for paper submissions has been extended to February 26, 2007.
Toronto, 14-16 June, 2007 This interdisciplinary conference, the second presented by the Design
Exchange, Canada's National Design Centre, seeks to explore
Regional Innovation
in Traditional Industries Volterra, Italy, 23 June, 2007 This workshop is part of the Structural Activity Line 3 of the DIME Network of Excellence and focuses particularly on the impact of diversification within various sectors ranging from previously highly industrialized regions to agro-food regions. The workshop will assess the way in which global competition from emerging markets is challenging traditional industries, what their responses are and how innovative and how successful such responses may be. Taking a regional innovation systems approach, the workshop will explore how network interactions can reshape a region, the effects the transformation has on the regions, and the challenges to economic growth accompanying the changes.
3rd International Conference on E-Government Montreal, 27 - 28 September, 2007 Alongside the rise in e-Government provision comes a greater interest in the study of e-Government, from both a practical and a theoretical point of view. As controversy rages around issues such as e-Voting and identity cards, so academics and practitioners pick up the gauntlet of supporting or attacking these issues. Service providers too have their opinions to share. Much time and money is being spent in considering the best way forward and in examining what has been done well and what lessons can be learnt when things go wrong. This conference aims to bring evidence of the research being undertaken across the globe to the attention of co-workers and the wider community for the purposes of helping practitioners find ways to put research into practice, and for researchers to gain an understanding of additional real-world problems. The advisory group for ICEG 2007 therefore invites submissions of papers on both theory and practice in respect of the conference themes outlined below, from academics, government departments and practitioners in the public and private sector.
Atlanta
Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy 2007 The landscape of global innovation is shifting, with new problems and actors emerging on the scene. National governments are looking for new strategies, and they are turning to the science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy research community for models and research results to tell them what works and what doesn’t, under what circumstances. The Atlanta Conference provides an opportunity for the global STI policy research and user communities to test models of innovation, explore emerging STI policy issues, and share research results.
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