Clusters and the regional innovative systems - example of Lodzkie region Małgorzata Brzezińska Brussels, 9 October 2007.

Clusters and the regional innovative systems - example of Lodzkie region

Małgorzata BrzezińskaBrussels, 9 October 2007

Tradition vs new trends

Łódź (and surrounding cities) used to be the textile

center

huge textile factories mainly old technologies women dominating in the labour market industrial monoculture poor diversity of proffessions inflexibility of labour market

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

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Tradition vs new trends

Collapse of textile industry 80s and 90s

The flow of Asian cheap products Huge unemployment Empty, devastated factories Low competitiveness of companies Poor expenses on R&D Low level of used new tech

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Tradition vs new trends

Łódź used to be the important academic center – University, Technical University, Medical University, Artistic Academies

The famous Film and Theatre High School in Łódź

Lots of students leaving Łódź after graduation

Cultural and medial events of high importance were held in Łódź

The Polish film center was located in Łódź

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Tradition vs new trends

In the past: The region mainly dependent on the capital of

region – Łódź The agriculture dominating ouside the municipal

center of region The poor relations between administration,

education and business The weak co-operation between business and

science (R&D field)

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Tradition vs new trends

Last years – changes in the region profile

Analysis of advantages of Łódź and region and tendencies in the global economy

Implementation of a new strategy of Łódź based on households goods cluster (eg.Indesit, Bosch/Siemens)

Creation of good conditions for investors Dynamic development of Łódź Special Economic

Zone Developing transportation infrastructure Huge academic potential (22 higher schools)

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

The change of industry profile

The new strategy of development: Development of new technologies Gaining investors in three main branches:

Business offshoringHousehold goodsLogistics

Creation of programs of assistance for investors and convenient conditions for the development of investments

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Clusters - the strength in the group

More effective way of finding investors

Better co-operation between the companies and local administration

Lower costs of co-operation

Logistics – simplified

Promotion of the Cluster make

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Clusters - the strength in the group

Effective promotion combined with the region/city promotion

Stronger relations with the R&D

Growth of competitiveness of companies operating within the cluster

Better access to know-how

Integration of the chain of suppliers and receivers

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Clusters and the regional development Clusters can foster the local development

Innovations determine the international competitiveness of the cluster

Dynamic clusters attract new investors

Clusters can be the platform of business and science co-operation

Clusters can give the synergy effects

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Household Goods Cluster

The first cluster that operates in Łódź

The snow ball effect

The attraction of new companies and investors

Concentration of well-known global companies producing household goods

Positive influence on the general image of the city and the region

Support of the local administration

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

With the reference to the tradition…

Textile industry is still the leading sector in Lodzkie Region

Textile industry has long and significant tradition

Lodzkie is the main Polish producer and exporter of textiles

Restoration of the textile industry can be observed

The rate of employment in the textile industry in the region is 37% in relation to all employed in the industry

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Why the textile cluster…? The industry is open to innovations. In 2002-2004

about 26% textile companies implemented technical innovation

Almost 90% textile companies implement innovations on their own without the co-operation with other entities

Well developed R&D backup 92% of experts point out that the textile cluster is

necessary in the region There is a need to be more competitive and innovative The co-operation with science, administration and

business institutions must take place The advantages that the cluster can give the

companiesINSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

The aim of the textile cluster is…

Support of innovation development and competitiveness of textile industry

Entrance to new markets and development of export

Growth of new tech, innovations and R&D in textile industry

Concentration on quality and new solutions in textiles

Co-operation with science and research centres

Future co-operation with other national and foreign clusters of advanced technology in textiles and creating the multinational network

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

The actions of the textile cluster

Promotion and make building

Co-operation in investments, new tech implementation and technical development

Common export activities

Consulting and advisory services

Expansion of the cluster operations to other regions and countries

Representing the cluster business and lobbing

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Tradition again… Media cluster

Roots connected with the film production center (eg.famous Film and Theatre High School in Łódź, the film production studios)

Good infrastructure and qualified staff

Festivals and medial events of international importance

Realization of media projects in the field of movie, TV, new media

Post-industrial infrastructure that can be revitalized for the needs of a cluster

The cluster will be developed with the participation of education, media, business, culture and administration

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

New trends, old potentialEco-Energy Cluster

Cluster of Advanced Technologies Eco-Energy was set up because of:

Rich natural resources Diverse ecology undertakings Convenient geographic location Significant human, science and economic

potential of Łódź and neighbouring regions Cooperation of institutions dealing with ecology,

energy, R&D etc. Ecology as an important element of regional

strategy

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Aims of Eco-Energy Cluster

Common R&D undertakings will concentrate on: New tech implementation

Ecologic coal production and processing

Production, transportation, housing the fuel

Usage of re-newable energy

Elaboration of new technologies in the scope of producing ecologically pure energy etc.

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

The obstacles that clusters meet

Insufficient knowledge about the cluster conception and its functions and tasks

Difficult access to the informations about clusters (especially for business people)

Too academic approach and not clear business profits

The poor information about the advantages that clusters give

Low trust refering to the co-operation with competitors

Short time perspective instead of long time planning

Few „good cases”

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

The Successful Cluster

The clusters MUST be a part of the regional development strategy

The growth of innovations and development of R&D MUST be the basic aims of a cluster

The optimal effect can be achieved only as a result of long-lasting co-operation of companies, administration, business institutions and research centers

INSTITUTE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES

www.newtechlodz.com

Thank you for your attention

Małgorzata BrzezińskaInstitute of New Technologies

www.newtechlodz.com

9 October 2007, Brussels