Issue #192
May 15, 2009
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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]
To help the United Kingdom out of the recession, Alistair Darling, chancellor for the exchequer, outlined several significant TBED priorities in his budget address to the House of Commons last month. Top among them is a £750 Million ($1 Billion USD) Strategic Investment Fund that will provide financial support, focusing on emerging technologies and regionally important sectors. Chancellor Darling also announced £405m of new funding to encourage low carbon energy and advanced green manufacturing in Britain. For broadband, the budget allocates £100 million for digital investment led by Yorkshire Forward that will roll-out next-generation broadband to South Yorkshire. Yorkshire Forward is a regional development agency charged with improving the economies of Yorkshire and Humber. Also on the city-region level, the budget includes funding for two pilot city-region projects in Greater Manchester and Leeds. The pilot city-regions will benefit from the stronger integration of planning, housing, transport, regeneration, employment and skills programs, increasing their ability to drive sustainable growth and economic development.
EDITOR'S PICK [Table of Contents]
State of the Nation: Canada's Science, Technolgy and Innovation System
Science, Technology and Innovation Council
Science, technology and innovation can drive economic success and improve quality of life for Canadians if all sectors work together to build on advantages and strengthen performance, says this report released by Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC). The STIC's first public report charts Canada's progress and compares Canadian performance to the world's science, technology and innovation leaders. The Report benchmarks Canada's innovative performance against more than 50 international and domestic standards of excellence such as research intensity, commercialization rates, quality of research and workforce skills. It provides a baseline from which to maintain a watch on key indicators and monitor progress.
INNOVATION & RELATED POLICY [Table of Contents]
Richard Bendis and Ethan Byler
This report proposes a new National Innovation Framework to structure and strengthen an integrated system for the strategic acceleration of the American innovation economy. The National Innovation Framework contains three new structural elements for a widespread national innovation strategy: The Federal Innovation Partnership and a National Innovation Advisor; The National Innovation Seed Fund and Technical Assistance Grant Fund; The National Private-Public Partnership Innovation Program.
Sara Goldrick-Rab et al. The Brookings Institution
To renew America’s status as the world’s leader in college attainment, the federal government needs to transform America’s community colleges and equip them for the 21st century. This long-overdue investment should establish national goals and a related performance measurement system; provide resources to drive college performance toward those goals; stimulate greater innovation in community college policies and practices to enhance the quality of subbaccalaureate education; and support data systems to track student and institutional progress and performance.
Research, Development and Innovation: Strategy Proposal for Sustainable Growth
VINNOVA
To face the current economic crisis as well as the climate crisis, international mobilisations of actors and resources are of great importance. VINNOVA’s strategy proposal for countering the crises therefore goes above and beyond initiatives that could be initiated, coordinated, run and realised by VINNOVA. Instead, it has a strong focus on coordination as well as synergies between regional, national and international initiatives. This is a prerequisite to counteract fragmentation and dilution of Sweden's resources, on both regional and national level. VINNOVA identifies specific opportunities stimulating innovation investments especially in five different areas: The adaptation of Swedish automotive industry to meet future demand; innovation in small and medium sized companies and innovation based start-ups; measures for strengthening demand in future growth areas; regional mobilization of resources and actors for innovation and competitiveness; and internationalization for economic growth and job creation in Sweden.
Building Britain's Future: New Industry, New Jobs
This policy statement identifies key areas where Government action can have most impact, investing in growth to speed recovery and building manufacturing and services essential to ensure British people and businesses can compete successfully for the jobs of the future. Key areas identified for immediate action and reform to win a bigger share of the opportunities ahead are centred on innovation, skills, finance, infrastructure and trade.
CITIES, CLUSTERS & REGIONS [Table of Contents]
Our Cities: Drivers of National Competitiveness
Forfas
Cities are increasingly seen as the drivers of national competitiveness and of economic and social development. This paper examines the core elements that make Irish cities competitive and highlights actions that can improve their performance and ultimately enhance our national competitiveness. With the rise in globalisation, cities across the world are becoming less concerned with national rankings of competitiveness and are focussing instead on improving their positions in a global league table of cities. Cities play an increasingly crucial role in the development of national competitiveness in modern knowledge-based economies. As people become more mobile and firms more selective about where they locate, competitive cities have emerged as magnets for talent and investment.
The Geography of Innovation: Challenges to Technology Policy Within Regions
Muriel Fadario and Nadine Massard
This paper is based on the desire to give empirical foundations to the explanations behind the pronounced spatial polarisation of the innovation activities. It focuses on an attempt to measure the spatial dimension of knowledge externalities, in order to reveal their role in the organisation of research systems. The aim of this paper is to survey this empirical literature in order to highlight the main results interesting for the innovation policy. This analysis emphasizes one main role of technology policy: supporting the institutions which generate knowledge and learning.
STATISTICS & INDICATORS [Table of Contents]
Productivity Measurement and Analysis
OECD
Productivity measurement and analysis are the main topics addressed in this book, which brings together contributions presented and discussed in two international workshops organized by the Statistics Directorate and the Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) of the OECD. The first workshop was organized jointly by the OECD with Fundaccion BBVA and the Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas and held in Madrid in October 2005, and the second one was organized jointly by the OECD and the Swiss Federal Statistical Office and the State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland and held in Bern in October 2006. The two workshops brought together representatives of statistical offices, central banks and other branches of government in OECD countries that are engaged in the analysis and the measurement of productivity developments at aggregate and industry levels.
POLICY DIGEST [Table of Contents]
Claire Nauwelaers
Increasing quantity and performance of research investments is a goal pursued by most governments in Europe and elsewhere. Which portfolios of instruments and policies best suited to achieve this aim? This report helps policymakers confronted with this question, by providing a framework, lessons from policy experiences, and policy tips and hints on how to create and implement an efficient policy mix for R&D. The content of this report is based on the results of a study commissioned by the European Commission’s Research Directorate-General, carried out during 2006-2009 by a partnership of six research organizations specialized in science, technology and innovation policy studies.
Policy Mixes
The novelty of the policy mix concept is that it relies on the idea that it is the combination of policy instruments interacting among each other, which influences R&D, rather than instruments taken in isolation. The other key idea is that R&D is not only influenced by policies from that policy sphere (such as direct funding or fiscal incentives, etc.) but that R&D is also influenced by policies from other domains, such as, for example, environmental regulations influencing R&D activities.
A policy mix (targeted at R&D investments) is defined as : The combination of policy instruments, which interact to influence the quantity and quality of R&D investments in the public and private sector.
When deliberately setting out to design policy mixes or subcomponents of them in a specific country, however, there is also a need for further orientation, especially in terms of understanding the factors influencing the form and content of policies and the necessary steps to design new or modify existing policy mixes. In short, there is a need for context and history to inform designs for the future. It is also important to develop an appreciation of the range of policy instruments, from the R&D domain and outside (“R&D” and “non-R&D” policies) used to fulfil policy objectives, again with assessments of their relative efficiency and effectiveness.
Core Issues for Policy Mix Design
The Policy Mix study concluded that the following five core issues are the most critical ones for Policy Mix design. These core issues point towards the need for coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of policy mixes:
The analyses carried out within the Policy Mix study point towards a large gap between existing policy practice and the requirement for coherent and efficient policy mixes for R&D. Improvements in policy mix design will thus necessitate efforts to promote awareness of policy mix concepts and to develop strategic intelligence capabilities at the various levels involved in policy mix design
and implementation. In most countries and regions, this will involve greater investment not only in ‘forward looking’ exercises concerned with delineating and weighing policy options for the future, but also ‘backward looking’ exercises assessing the performance of past policies.
Monitoring and evaluation practices are improving in many countries, particularly those concerned with the evaluation of single policy instruments such as R&D support programmes. However, these will need to be complemented by experiments with whole ‘system evaluations’ along the lines of the current attempt in Austria to formulate an overview of the impact of all relevant policies on the development of the Austrian R&D and innovation system. Strategic intelligence capabilities are typically most deficient in those
countries and regions least equipped in capital and human resource terms to invest and develop them. The scope for countries and regions such as these to benefit from cross-border, mutual learning platforms focusing on topics such as the benchmarking of policy mix practices is thus very large.
EVENTS [Table of Contents]
Community Engagement and Service: The Third Mission of Universities
Vancouver, BC, 18-20 May, 2009
The conference will showcase research and practice of what in North America is called 'service to the community'. Although newly discovered by some universities, service to the community has long traditions in others, and in many cases is recognized as an explicit mandate in the university charter. Service is understood to be the Third Mission alongside teaching and research. Service and community engagement take many different forms. Examples are community based research and learning, assistance in regional development, continuing and community engagement, technology transfer and commercialization, and other forms of knowledge sharing and linkages.
Photonics North 2009: Closing the Gap Between Theory, Development, and Application
Quebec City, 24-27 May, 2009
This conference is an international event dedicated on the latest accomplishments, future directions and innovations exclusive to optics/ photonics technologies. Presentations will explore advances in Science and technology that will impact the use of photonics in the 21st century. Photonics North will provide you with the knowledge and competitive intelligence you need to keep up in the industry that changes and evolves at break-neck speed.
Intellectual Property Rights: Innovation and Commercialization in Turbulant Times
Toronto, 29 May, 2009
Effective IPR protection is essential to capitalize on innovation and encourage investment in research and development facilities and services. Canada needs world-class intellectual property policy and practices to compete globally. Policymakers and business leaders need to recognize IPR’s crucial role in fostering innovation and enabling businesses to capitalize on development investments and successfully commercialize their innovations. What is the role of IPR in helping companies continue investing in research and development (R&D)? How does this investment affect their ability to emerge even stronger and better able to compete in a recovering and knowledge-based economy? What’s being done now and what can be done by educators, regulators, and business organizations to help companies develop intellectual property to drive business success? Learn from industry experts and intellectual property thought leaders how you can capitalize on innovation and benefit from more effective intellectual property protection.
The Innovation Economy: Getting New Ideas, New Partners and New Growth for the Global Economy
Brussels, 2 June, 2009
This international policy dialogue will be held on June 2, 2009 in Brussels. Topics to be discussed include: high-growth entrepreneurship, university research, international R&D collaboration, the innovation agenda of the next European commission, open innovation, joint programming of research.
Madrid, Spain, 4-6 June, 2009
The European Urban Research Association (EURA) and the Urban Affairs Association (UAA) hold their second Joint Conference on City Futures in 2009. By building on the success of the first such conference, held in Chicago in 2004, the conference aims to focus sharply on international exchange. Urban scholars on both sides of the Atlantic have created a five-track structure for this forward-looking conference: Climate change, resource use and urban adaptation; Knowledge and technology in urban development; Community development, migration and integration in urban areas; Urban governance and city planning in an international era; Architecture and the design of the public realm.
Canada 3.0: Shape Canada's Digital Future
Stratford, Ontario, 8-9 June, 2009
Join industry leaders, policy makers and researchers in the discussion about making Canada the place for digital media in the world! Canada 3.0 isn't your typical forum. You will be an active part of the discussion - panel sessions with open mikes and roundtables where you share your experience, your passion and determine where we go next. Engage with your peers, industry experts, analysts and influencers from across the country and around the world.
Marketing and Mobilizing Your Technology
Ottawa, 17-18 June, 2009
Research findings resulting from Canada’s large investments in Science and Technology / Research and Development must translate into economic development, public policy and social programs. It is all about Turning research into action – enabling the Canadian economy to be competitive and productive and ensuring the quality of life of Canadians by creating a safe, healthy and secure environment that is energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. Join the thought leaders, network and connect with senior executives, practitioners and experts in the field to discuss and learn the latest in increasing the value of technology transfer practices and turning research results into action for your organization.
Glasgow, Scotland, 17-19 June, 2009
Triple Helix VII offers a multi-disciplinary forum for experts from universities, industry and government. The Conference is designed to attract leading authorities from across the world who will share their knowledge and experience, drawing a link between research, policy, and practice in sustainable development. The Conference will bring together policy-makers, academics, researchers, postgraduate students, and key representatives from business and industry. The theme for Triple Helix VII - “The role of Triple Helix in the Global Agenda of Innovation, Competitiveness and Sustainability” - reflects the interaction between academia, the private and the public sector.
Innovation, Strategy and Knowledge: 2009 DRUID Summer Conference
Copenhagen, Denmark, 17-19 June, 2009
The DRUID Summer Conference 2009 intends to map theoretical, empirical and methodological advances, further contribute with novel insights and stimulate civilized controversies in industrial dynamics. The conference will include targeted plenary debates where internationally merited scholars take stands on contemporary issues within the overall conference theme. This year's conference will bring together researchers from around the world to exchange research results and to address open issues. The plenary program will include, among others, contributions from Juan Alcacer, William Barnet, Adam Brandenburger, Russell Coff, Wes Cohen, Massimo Colombo, Phil Cooke, Giovanni Dosi, Jan Fagerberg, Andrea Fosfuri, Tim Foxon, Geoffrey M. Hodgson, Michael Jacobides, / /Rene Kemp, Thorbjørn Knudsen, Mike Lenox, Dan Levinthal, Will Mitchell, Paul Nightingale, Laszlo Poloz, Laura Poppo, Michael Ryall, Dan Snow, Bart Verspagen, Sidney Winter
Experience the Creative Economy
Toronto, 23-25 June, 2009
This is a unique conference which allows scholars new in their careers to experience notions of the creative economy in a small and focused setting. This conference will bring together up to 25 individuals with similar research interests to share their work, receive feedback, foster the development of effective research methods and to establish an ongoing framework of collaborative learning and mutual exchange for years to come.
TEKPOL: 3rd International Conference on Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Economics
Ankara, Turkey, 24-26 June, 2009
The main objective of this workshop is to bring together researchers and policy makers from new member states and candidate counties in order to discuss the following topics: links between innovation, R&D and economic performance; innovation and technology diffusion; knowledge management and learning in organizations; systemic nature of innovation (national, sectoral and local); science, technology and innovation policies; issues concerning developing countries and technological change; economic impact of new technologies.
Global Science and the Economics of Knowledge Sharing Institutions
Torino, Italy, 28-30 June, 2009
This conference – held within the context of the EU-funded project COMMUNIA, the European Thematic Network on the Digital Public Domain - aims to bring together leading people from a number of international scientific research communities, social science researchers and science, technology and innovation policy analysts, to discuss the rationale, policy support and practical feasibility of arrangements designed to emulate key public domain conditions for collaborative research. Initiatives and policies have been proposed that go beyond “open access” to published research findings by aiming to facilitate more effective and extensive (global) sharing of not only data and information, but research facilities, tools, and materials. There is thus a need to examine a number of these proposals’ conceptual foundations from the economic and legal perspectives and to analyze the roles of the public domain and contractually constructed commons in facilitating sharing of scientific and technical data, information and materials. But it is equally important to examine the available evidence about actual experience with concrete organizational initiatives in different areas of scientific and technological research, and to devise appropriate, contextually relevant methods of assessing effectiveness and identifying likely unintended and dysfunctional outcomes.
12th Annual Conference on Technology Policy and Innovation - ICTPI09
Porto, Portugal, 13-14 July, 2009
The theme and motto of the 12th ICTPI Conference - Science, Technology and Knowledge Networks – long term growth strategies to face the financial crisis – will seek to challenge the participants in developing strategic responses to the crisis that integrate long-term concerns, by involving research and development, higher-education and science-based innovation.
Research and Entrepreneurship in the Knowledge-Based Economy
Milan, Italy, 7-8 September, 2009
Knowledge creation and management has been widely recognized as the main driving force for the economic growth of advanced economies. In the knowledge-based economy, learning, knowledge, research and human capital are key variables in the development of firms, sectors and countries. The increasing importance of the knowledge-based economy leads to a growing number of challenges for the actors involved: the need to integrate and coordinate research, a better definition of actions and the search for the right instruments to tackle the cognitive and management aspects of the processes and to evaluate outcomes and effects. Within this framework, the conference aims to create an opportunity for presentation of current research in the field and to open a space for debating on the impact of investments in research and human capital on firms, sectors and countries in the knowledge-based economy, and on the role for public policy. Keynote speakers include: Giovanni Dosi, Dominique Foray, Franco Malerba, Pascal Petit and Rehinilde Veuglers.
4th European Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Antwerp, Belgium, 10-11 September, 2009
n the light of the European Lisbon goals, the importance of the conference topics cannot be underestimated. Entrepreneurship and innovation should be the driving force in the transition of the Western economies towards knowledge-intensive economies – a necessity to maintain our current living standards. Knowledge creation and dissemination to society are indispensable to advance into the next era. The conference welcomes academics, researchers and industrial delegates to join this innovative program.
Atlanta, 2-3 Oct, 2009
Science and innovation are aimed at change—new knowledge, new techniques, and fresh approaches to addressing the major challenges facing humanity. The 2009 Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation policy will focus on ways that science and innovation policies can shape the future by setting goals such as safety, economic security, improved health, and environmental quality and by designing programs to reach these goals.
Learning Clusters: 12th TCI Annual Global Conference 
Jyvaskyla, Finland, 12-16 October, 2009
Can clusters be learning organizations? How can learning clusters promote competitiveness for businesses and the regional economy in times of constant change? What are the disciplines of successful and dynamic clusters in the knowledge economy and network society? The 12th TCI Annual Global Conference aims to raise awareness and stimulate discussion of these issues in order to inspire sustainable clustering actions and better futures in clusters, businesses and regions.
Stimulating Recovery: The Role of Innovation Management
New York, 6-9 December, 2009
Organised by ISPIM and hosted by The Fashion Institute of Technology this symposium will bring together academics, business leaders, consultants and other professionals involved in innovation management. The symposium format will include facilitated themed sessions for academic and practitioner presentations together with interactive workshops and discussion panels. Additionally, the symposium will provide excellent networking opportunities together with a taste of local New York culture.
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