Innovation Eco Systems: Capacity Building with the Regions of Knowledge Method By Sylvia Schreiber, Member of the Expert Advisory Group, Regions of Knowledge.

Innovation Eco Systems: Capacity Building with the Regions of Knowledge Method

By Sylvia Schreiber, Member of the Expert Advisory Group, Regions of Knowledge ProgrammDirector, Stuttgart Region EU-Office, Brussels 23.6.2011

Regions for Economic Change

European Office

Regions for Economic Change

• Main objective of the Region of Knowledge Programme:• CAPACITY BUILDING ! • • Capacity for what ? • INNOVATION +• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Innovation is a multi-faceted process – from the idea to marketable products, services or process solutions

• Innovations emerge from well-shaped Eco-systems of Innovation. Regions are one of the system`s players.

• Regions offer capacities in the innovation eco-system: Skills training , knowledge bases, transfer agencies, science parks, cluster building , network facilitation, policy learning

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Region for Economic Change

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Need for a closer

look to

economic change

mechanisms

Innovation

„chain“ model: Mono-causal„step by step“ Very simplistic Non- dynamic local groupsLong duration

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Innovation

„Cycle“

model• Process oriented• Multi faceted• Clustering +• Networks

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Regions: pre-

research capacities

Regions: pre-research + development

capacities: Clustering,

networks

Regions: post-development valorization by

Regional Innovation agencies. Bridges to markets

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Innovation model

„Eco-System“: process +

system oriented Multi Disciplines Cross-Innovation Spill-Overs

( sector to sector) Interactive DynamicsFast knowledge Diffusion Shorter time to markets

i.e.: Biotech, ICT, Materials

Products in Pharma, Food,

Health, Info, Energy,

Role of Regions: Facilitators of

Innovation Eco-systems

( Cluster- Agencies, Incubators,

Transfer Centers: Bridging Role )

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Regions of Knowledge – ROK - Programme Asks mandatory for „triple helix“-participation:

academia- business- public service per region !

Partners are members of the knowledge – driven clusters ( local „nests“ with global connectivity )

Clusters are relevant parts of the innovation eco-system • The cluster-networks (intra and inter) form the capacity to

innovate ! • Transnational X-Change on EUproject level raises capacities

by mutual learning, knowledge enhancement,strategy + concepts, joint action plans and: PRIORITY SETTING

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Practical Regions-of-Knowledge project using the eco-systems model :

Four Food Clusters + Four Sports Clusters (from total 8

regions) joined to find new concepts for healthy lifestyles by CROSS INNOVATION (multidisciplinary approaches) The concepts will consist of a „mix –match “ of services and products leading to: Innovative models of healthy canteen meals and physical activity on workplaces / Healthy nutrition/personal e-trainers/

Spatial planning for walkable and bikeable regions /Regional policy by investment in health infrastructure and regional

policy targets for healthy lifestyle promotion

CROSSINNOVATION requires local eco systems (i.e. Health Clusters) +

transnational cooperation !!

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Conclusions: The INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS facilitate the capacity to innnovate. BUT: The direction of innovation has to be found by business.They do PRIORITY SETTING in order to focus and to create critical

mass SMART SPECIALIZATION has to be seen as methodology of prioritization for innovation ecosystems in order to create competitive advantages

For their enterprises. Regional role: support

Future interregional EU cooperation will help to define

the smart specialization strategy l by X-CHANGE

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Many thanks for your attention ! Contact

Sylvia Schreiber

Economist & Journalist

Director

Stuttgart Region House

Blvd. Clovis 39

1000 Brussels

mail:sylvia. [email protected]

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