1 Welcome Address - Universität Salzburg

Transcription

1 Welcome Address - Universität Salzburg
1 Welcome Address
Walter Scherrer
Seminar Chair, Department of Economics and Social Science,
Law Faculty, University of Salzburg
The 2nd International Seminar on Regional Innovation Policies aims to continue the inspiring
discussions among researchers and professionals in the field of regional innovation policy which
started in the first seminar in February 2007 in Porto at the Faculty of Economics of the
University of Porto. This series of seminars was initiated by Napier University of Edinburgh,
Porto University and Salzburg University and joined by University of Cantabria.
Several important elements of continuity characterize the second edition of the seminar series.
First, there is a continuity of topics within the field of regional innovation policy. Second, many
participants of the 1st seminar in Porto announced to contribute also to the 2nd seminar. Third,
several contributors have developed and extended their work which they presented in Porto for
the Salzburg edition of the seminar. And finally, of course, the seminar with its relatively small
number of participants aims again to offer an open, friendly and constructive working
atmosphere.
In the second edition of the seminar series 22 contributions of some 40 authors and co-authors
from 14 countries will be discussed. On behalf of the scientific committee, on behalf of the
Department of Economics and Social Science and the Law Faculty of the University of Salzburg,
and on behalf of the local co-organizers of the conference, the Innovations- und
Technologietransfer Salzburg GmbH (ITG), and the WissenschaftsAgentur der Universität
Salzburg (WAS), I welcome the participants of the seminar and wish a rewarding stay in
Salzburg.
2
Contents
1
Welcome Address....................................................................................................................2
2
Seminar Organization .............................................................................................................. 5
3
Keynote Speakers ...................................................................................................................7
4
5
3.1
Professor Bjørn T. Asheim ..............................................................................................7
3.2
Prof. Dr. Peter A. Bruck Ph.D, MA ..................................................................................8
Venue .......................................................................................................................................9
4.1
Thursday, 11th October (1st day):....................................................................................9
4.2
Friday, 12th October (2nd day) ....................................................................................... 10
Program of the 2nd International Seminar on Regional Innovation Policies .......................... 11
5.1
Thursday, 11th October (1st day).................................................................................... 11
5.2
Friday, 12th October (2nd day) ....................................................................................... 13
6
List of participants .................................................................................................................. 15
7
Abstracts (in alphabetical order) ............................................................................................ 18
7.1
Bjørn Asheim and Sara Santos Cruz: Creative Industries, Talent Attraction and
Knowledge Bases – The Case of the New Zealand Film Industry as a Driver of
Regional Development
7.2
Christian Berger, Willem van Winden, Alexander Otgaar and Carolien Speller: Crossborder Cooperation for Knowledge-based Development: Towards a Roadmap
7.3
Massimo Bianchi: Clustering and Networking in SMEs Development International
Projects. A Managerial Approach to Push and Pull Intervention for Enterprise Creation
and Entrepreneurial Parks Initiatives
7.4
Luis Carvalho and Willem van Winden: Geographical and Organisational Proximity in
Manufacturing Clusters
7.5
Heriberta Castaños: Regional Innovation Policies in Megacities: The Case of Mexico
City
7.6
Srecko Devjak and Bojan Pecek: Regional Development Planning Through the Cluster
Analysis
7.7
Christian Dirninger: Historical Aspects of Regional Innovation Policies
7.8
Antonio Manuel Figueiredo: From Concepts to Operational Interventions: Discussing
the Implementation of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) in four Portuguese Regions
7.9
Roger F Jones and Drahomira Pavelkova : Contrasting Regional Economic Policies in
Several States in the USA and in the Czech Republic
7.10
Michael Lewrick, Robert Raeside and Thomas Peisl: Learning From the Successful
Companies in a Regional Entrepreneurial and Innovation System
3
7.11
Concepción López Fernández, Ana María Serrano Bedia, Gema García Piqueres and
Raquel Gómez López: Universities and Regional Innovation Systems: The Spanish
Case
7.12
Ronald W. McQuaid: Cultural and Sporting Events to Promote Regional Development
and Innovation – The Case of Rugby Sevens
7.13
Maurilio Monteiro, Ana Paula Bastos and Claudio Castelo Branco Puty: Limits and
Challenges to the Introduction of Regional Innovation Systems in Peripheral Regions:
Evidence from Pará, Brazilian Amazon
7.14
Christian Salletmaier: Regional Innovation in a Service Oriented Economy - The
Example of Salzburg
7.15
Walter Scherrer: The Art & Culture-Industry, Regional Economic Development, and
Innovation – Salzburg as an Example
7.16
Mário Rui Silva, Argentino Pessoa: Environment Based Innovation: Policy Questions
7.17
Gunnar Skomsøy: “For Developing Competitiveness You Need a Systemic Approach”
7.18
Katarzyna Sobiech: Infrastructure Gap in Poland as Compared to Selected European
Countries
7.19
Renate Steinmann and Siegfried Reich: Innovation Dynamics of Salzburg
7.20
Inês Vilhena da Cunha, Catarina Selada: Creative Urban Regeneration: Portuguese
Cases of “Innovation Hubs”
4
2 Seminar Organization
Seminar Chair
Walter Scherrer (Universität of Salzburg, Fachbereich Sozial- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Salzburg, Austria)
Scientific and Local Organizing Committee
Sebastian Huber (State Government of Salzburg, Department of Economic Policy, Salzburg, Austria, and
ITG – Innovations - und Technologietransfer GmbH, Salzburg, Austria)
Maria Concepción López Fernández (University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain)
Ronald W. McQuaid
Armin Mühlböck
(Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland)
(WissenschaftsAgentur Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria)
Mario Riu Silva (Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia, Portugal)
Oliver Wagner (ITG –
Innovations - und Technologietransfer Salzburg GmbH, Salzburg, Austria)
Seminar Office
Christine Tyma und Till Mayrhofer
Anna Csilla Banföldy
(WissenschaftsAgentur Salzburg)
(Department of Economics and Social Science, Salzburg)
Contact
E-mail:
RegInno@sbg.ac.at
Website:
www.itg-salzburg.at/reginno
Phone:
WissenschaftsAgentur Salzburg:
0043-662-8044-6640
ITG – Innovations- und TechnologieTransfer GmbH
0043-662-8042-3148
Walter Scherrer (during seminar days,
in urgent cases only)
0043-664-5313734
5
Partners
Universität Salzburg
Fachbereich Sozial- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften,
Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät
Universidade do Porto
Faculdade de Economia
Napier University, Edinburgh
Employment Research Institute
Universidad de Cantabria, Santander
Faculdad de Economia
Local Organization
ITG – Innovations- und Technologietransfer
Salzburg GmbH
WissenschaftsAgentur Salzburg
Sponsors
Land Salzburg
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit
Wirtschaftskammer Salzburg
Arbeiterkammer Salzburg
Fachhochschule Salzburg
6
3 Keynote Speakers
3.1 Professor Bjørn T. Asheim
CIRCLE and LUND University, Lund, Sweden
Bjørn T. Asheim has since 2001 the chair in economic geography at the Department of Social
and Economic Geography, University of Lund, Sweden, and is co-founder and deputy director of
the new Centre of Excellence in innovation system research at Lund University called CIRCLE
(Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy) from 2004. He is
also part time professor at the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo,
Norway, since 2001. He was previously full professor in human geography at the University of
Oslo and for many years he has been associated with the Research Counc il funded STEP-group
(Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy).
He is member of several program committees at VINNOVA (Swedish Agency for Innovation
Systems), and he is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Centre for European
Studies on Territorial Development, University of Durham, UK, and of the international advisory
committee for the Canadian Innovation Systems Research Network and MCRI Clusters project.
He is Editor of Economic Geography and Regional Studies, and member of the editorial board of
several European scientific journals including European Planning Studies and Journal of
Economic Geography.
Professor Asheim is trained as both a business economist (MSc, The Norwegian School of
Economics and Business Administration, Bergen) and a human geographer (PhD, University of
Lund, Sweden). He is well-known internationally for his research in the areas of economic and
industrial geography, where his main research specialisations include: Comparative analyses of
industrial districts and regional clusters; SMEs and innovation policy; technological change,
globalisation and endogenous regional development; regional innovation systems and learning
regions. He has many international publications within these subjects.
In the 1st Seminar on regional innovation policy in February 2007 in Porto Bjørn Asheim
delivered a keynote lecture on “The role of regional innovation systems in constructing regional
advantage: towards a platform oriented approach to regional innovation policy”.
7
3.2 Prof. Dr. Peter A. Bruck Ph.D, MA
Austrian Reasearch Centres Seibersdorf
Peter A. Bruck is General Manager of the Research Studios Austria within the Austrian
Research Centers and division head for e-technologies and smart media at the ARC Seibersdorf
research GmbH, the national public-private technology research organisation of Austria. He is
also Honorary Professor of Information Economy and New Technologies at the Institute of
Economics, Faculty of Law, at the University of Salzburg and holds an appointment as Research
Professor of Communication and Journalism at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. He is the
honorary President of the ICNM – International Center for New Media, Salzburg, the chairman of
the Board of the European Academy of Digital Media-EADiM, The Netherlands, and the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Summit Award.
Peter A. Bruck studied at the universities of Vienna, Iowa and at McGill, Montreal, and holds
doctorates in law and communications, and master degrees in sociology and economics. He has
taught at universities in Canada, US and Western Europe plus Israel and Poland and has over
25 years of experience in research and consulting in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland,
Portugal, the US and Canada. From 2001 to 2002 Bruck was on the Board of Management and
head of the Business Unit on Interactive Media of the Jet2Web Internet Services GmbH of the
Austrian Telekom Group. He is Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Media Diversity of the
Council of Europe and he has initiated EUROPRIX, Europe’s leading multimedia award, the Prix
MultiMediaAustria and a number of national best practice competitions and awards in Western
and Eastern Europe.
Peter A. Bruck has published and edited numerous books, researc h reports and scholarly as
well as professional articles in the fields of communication and new media studies, media and
information economics, telecommunication development, cultural study and sociology. He is a
specialist in communication technologies as well as media and telecommunication policy.
8
4 Venue
4.1 Thursday, 11th October 2007 (1st day):
At 08:30 hours a bus leaves from Radisson Altstadt Hotel and will bring participants to the
conference venue:
Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule Salzburg)
Campus Urstein
Urstein Süd 1
A-5412 Puch/Salzburg
1
Hotel Altstadt Radisson
SAS
Judengasse 15
5020 Salzburg
1
2
Join the A10 at junction
Salzburg Süd in direction
A10, Villach
3
2
2
Leave A10 at junction
Puch/Urstein
3
2
9
4.2 Friday, 12th October 2007 (2nd day)
The venue is located in the very centre of the city. It is a 5 minutes’ walk from the Hotel Altstadt
Radisson SAS:
University of Salzburg, Rectorate,
Kapitelgasse 4, 1st Floor, Senate Meeting Hall
5020 Salzburg
River Salzach
River Salzach
1
2
Festung
Salzburg
(castle)
1
Hotel Altstadt Radisson SAS
Judengasse 15
5020 Salzburg
2
University of Salzburg, Rectorate Building
Kapitelgasse 4
5020 Salzburg
10
5 Program
5.1 Thursday, 11th October 2007 (1st day)
Venue: Fachhochschule Salzburg, Puch, Urstein Campus
08:30
Bus departure from Hotel Altstadt Radisson
08:45 – 09:30
Registration
09:30 – 11:15
A. Opening Session: Regional Innovation and Creative Industries I
Chair: Walter Scherrer, University of Salzburg
1
Sebastian Huber
State Government of Salzburg and ITG
Walter Scherrer
University of Salzburg
Welcome address
2
Peter A. Bruck
Austrian Research Centres Seibersdorf
Keynote lecture:
The Creative Class as a Driver of Innovation
3
Bjørn Asheim
Lund University and CIRCLE
Keynote lecture:
The Creative Class and Regional Development:
A European Perspective
11:15 – 11:45
Coffee break
11:45 – 12:45
B. Regional Innovation and Creative Industries II
Chair: Mário Rui Silva, University of Porto
4
Sara Santos Cruz, University of Porto
Bjørn Asheim, Lund University and
CIRCLE
Creative Industries, Talent Attraction and
Knowledge Bases – The Case of the New
Zealand Film Industry as a Driver of Regional
Development
5
Inês Vilhena da Cunha and
Catarina Selada
INTELI, Centro de Inovacao
Creative Urban Regeneration: Portuguese
Cases of “Innovation Hubs”
12:45 – 14:00
Lunch
11
14:00 – 16:00
C. Regional Innovation Policies: Methodological Issues
Chair: Bjørn Asheim, Lund University and CIRCLE
6
Ronald W. McQuaid
Napier University, Edinburgh
Cultural and Sporting Events to Promote
Regional Development and Innovation – The
Case of Rugby Sevens
7
Katarzyna Sobiech
Poznan University of Technology
Infrastructure Gap in Poland as Compared to
Selected European Countries
8
Michael Lewrick and Robert Raeside,
Napier University, and Thomas Peisl,
University of Applied Sciences, Munich
Learning from the Successful Companies in a
Regional Entrepreneurial and Innovation
System
9
Massimo Bianchi, Bologna University
Clustering and Networking in SMEs Development International Projects. A Managerial
Approach to Push and Pull Intervention for
Enterprise Creation and Entrepreneurial Parks
Initiatives
16:00 – 17:00
Coffee break
17:00 – 19:00
D. Regional Innovation Systems: The functioning of RIS
Chair: Ronald W. McQuaid, Napier University, Edinburgh
10 Christian Berger, Willem van Winden,
Alexander Otgaar and Carolien Speller
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Cross -border Cooperation for Knowledge-based
Development: Towards a Roadmap
11 Luis Carvalho and Willem van Winden
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Geographical and Organisational Proximity in
Manufacturing Clusters
12 Concepción López Fernández , Ana
María Serrano Bedia, Gema García
Piqueres and Raquel Gómez López
University of Cantabria
Universities and Regional Innovation Systems:
The Spanish Case
13 Maurilio Monteiro, Ana Paula Bastos and
Claudio Castelo Branco Puty
Federal University of Pará, Belem
Limits and Challenges to the Introduction of RIS
in Peripheral Regions: Evidence From Pará,
Brazilian Amazon
19:00
Get together – Dinner
12
5.2 Friday, 12th October 2007 (2nd day)
Venue: University of Salzburg, Rectorate Building,
Kapitelgasse 4, 1st Floor, Senate Meeting Hall
09:00 – 10:45
E. Regional Innovation Policy Issues
Chair: Concepcion Fernandez Lopez, University of Cantabria
14 Kurt Schmoller, University of Salzburg
Welcome address
15 Gunnar Skomsøy, Karlstad University
“For Developing Competitiveness You Need a
Systemic Approach”
16 Antonio Manuel Figueiredo
Porto School of Economics
From Concepts to Operational Interventions:
Discussing the Implementation of Regional
Innovation Systems (RIS) in four Portuguese
Regions
17 Srecko Devjak and Bojan Pecek
University of Ljubljana
Regional Development Planning Through the
Cluster Analysis
10:45 – 11:15
Coffee break
11:15 – 12:45
F. Regional Innovation Policy: Salzburg
Chair: Manfred Müller, Court of Audit, State of Salzburg
18 Christian Dirninger, University of
Salzburg
Historical Aspects of Regional Innovation
Policies
19 Renate Steinmann and Siegfried Reich
Salzburg Research
Innovation Dynamics of Salzburg
20 Christian Salletmaier
State Administration of Salzburg
Regional Innovation in a Service Oriented
Economy: The Example of Salzburg
12:45 – 13:45
Lunch break
13
13:45 – 14:45
G. Regional Policy: International Experiences
Chair: Gunnar Skomsøy, Karlstad University
21 Heriberta Castaños
Autonomous University of Mexico
Regional Innovation Policies in Megacities: The
Case of Mexico City
22 Roger F. Jones , Franklin International
LLC, USA
Drahomira Pavelkova, University of Zlin
Contrasting Regional Economic Policies in
Several States in the USA and in the Czech
Republic
14:45 – 15:15
Coffee break
15:15 – 17:00
H. Closing Session:
Environmental & Cultural Resources and Regional Innovation
Chair: Alfred Kyrer, University of Salzburg
23 Mário Rui Silva and Argentino Pessoa
University of Porto
Environment Based Innovation: Policy
Questions
24 Walter Scherrer
University of Salzburg
The Art & Culture Industry, Regional Economic
Development, and Innovation:
Salzburg as an Example
25 Concepción López Fernández
Mário Rui Silva
Ronald W. McQuaid
Walter Scherrer
Conclusions and Outlook
17:00
End of the Seminar
14
6 List of participants
Name
Affiliation
E-Mail
Session
or paper
number
Almeida Alexandre
Universidade do Porto, Faculdade
de Economia, Porto, Portugal
jalmeida@fc.up.pt
Asheim Bjørn
Lund University and CIRCLE, Lund,
Sweden
Bjorn.Asheim@keg.lu.se
Bastos Ana Paula
Institute for Advanced Amazonian
Studies, Federal University of Pará,
Brazil
pbastos@ufpa.br
Bendl Erwin
Siemens Austria, Vienna
erwin.bendl@siemens.com
Bendl Maria
Federal Ministry of Economics and
Labour, Vienna
Maria.Bendl@bmwa.gv.at
Berger Christian
Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Rotterdam, The Nethderlands
berger@few.eur.nl
10
Bianchi Massimo
Bologna University; Faculty of
Economics, Forlì, Italy
massimo.bianchi@unibo.it
9
Bruck Peter A.
Austrian Research Centres
Seibersdorf, Salzburg, Austria
peter. bruck@researchstudio.at
2
Carvalho Luis
Erasmus University Rotterdam /
EURICUR, Rotterdam, The
Netherlands
decarvalho@few.eur.nl
11
Castaños Heriberta
Universidad Autonoma de Mexico,
Mexico
crcr@servidor.unam.mx
21
Devjak Srecko
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of
Administration, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Srecko.devjak@fu.uni-lj.si
17
Dirninger Christian
Department of History, University of
Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
christian.dirninger@sbg.ac.at
18
Figueiredo Antonio
Manuel
Porto School of Economics and
Quarternaire Portugal
amfig@fep.up.pt
16
García Piqueres
Gema
University of Cantabria, Santander,
Spain
gema.garcia@unican.es
12
Gómez López
Raquel
University of Cantabria, Santander,
Spain
garciapg@unican.es
12
C+3+4
13
15
Huber Sebastian
State Government of Salzburg,
Department of Economic Policy,
and Innovations- und Technologietransfer GmbH, Salzburg, Austria
Sebastian.huber@salzburg.gv.
at
1
Jones Roger F.
Franklin International LLC,
Brookmall, Pennsylvania, United
States
Navy662@aol.com
22
Kyrer Alfred
Department of Economics an Social
Science, University of Salzburg,
Salzburg, Austria
Alfred.kyrer@sbg.ac.at
H
Lewrick Michael
Napier University, Edinburgh,
Scotland, UK
MLewrick@aol.com
8
López Fernández
Concepción
University of Cantab ria, Santander,
Spain
lopezm@unican.es
E+12+
25
McQuaid Ronald W.
Napier University, Employment
Research Institute, Craiglockhart
Campus, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
r.mcquaid@napier.ac.uk
D+6
+25
Monteiro Maurilio
Institute for Advanced Amazonian
Studies, Federal University of Pará,
Belem, Brazil
maurílio@naea.ufpa.br
13
Mühlböck Armin
WissenschaftsAgentur Salzburg,
Salzburg, Austria
armin.muehlboeck@sbg.ac.at
Müller Manfred
Director, Court of Audit, State of
Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
manfred.mueller@salzburg.gv.a
t
F
Neureiter Michael
Vice President, State Parliament of
Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
michael.neureiter@salzburg.gv.
at
A
Otgaar Alexander
Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Rotterdam, The Netzerlands
otgaar@few.eur.nl
10
Pavelkova
Drahomira
Tomas Bata University, Zlin, Czech
Republic
pavelkova@iceu.cz
22
Pecek Bojan
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of
Administration, Ljubljana, Slovenia
bojan.pecek@fu.uni-lj
17
Peisl Thomas
University of Applied Sciences,
Munich, Germany
tpeisl@fhm.edu
8
Pessoa Argentino
CEDRES, Faculdade de Economia,
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
apessoa@fep.up.pt
23
Puty Claudio Castelo
Branco
Department of Economics, Federal
University of Pará, Brazil
cputy@ufpa.br
13
Raeside Robert
Napier University, Edinburgh,
Scotland, UK
r.raeside@napier.ac.uk
8
16
Reich Siegfried
Salzburg Research, Salzburg,
Austria
siegfried.reich@salzburgresear
ch.at
19
Salletmaier Christian
State Administration of Salzburg,
Department of Regional
Development, Salzburg, Austria
christian.salletmaier@salzburg.
gv.at
20
Santos Cristina
Universidade do Porto, Faculdade
de Economia, Porto, Portugal
050411010@fep.up.pt
Santos Cruz Sara
Universidade do Porto, Faculdade
de Economia, Porto, Portugal
sarasantoscruz@yahoo.com
Scherrer Walter
Department of Economics and
Social Science, University of
Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
walter.scherrer@sbg.ac.at
Schmidjell Richard
Wirtschaftskammer Salzburg –
Chamber of Commerce, Salzburg,
Austria
RSchmidjell@wks.at
Schmoller Kurt
Dean, Faculty of Law, University of
Salzburg
Kurt.Schmoller@sbg.ac.at
14
Selada Catarina
INTELI – Inteligência em Inovação,
Centro de Inovação, Portugal
catarina.s@inteli.pt
5
Serrano Bedia Ana
María
University of Cantabria, Santander,
Spain
serranoa@unican.es
12
Silva Mário Rui
CEDRES, Faculdade de Economia,
Universidade do Porto, Portugal
mrui@fep.up.pt
Skomsøy Gunnar
CERUT, Karlstad University,
Sweden
gunnar@interfarm.no
Sobiech Katarzyna
Poznan University of Technology,
Poznan, Poland
katarzyna.sobiech@put.poznan
.pl
7
Speller Carolien
Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
speller@few.eur.nl
10
Steinmann Renate
Salzburg Research, Salzburg,
Austria
renate.steinmann@salzburgres
earch.at,
19
Van Winden Willem
Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
vanwinden@few.eur.nl
Vilhena da Cunha
Inês
INTELI – Inteligência em Inovação,
Centro de Inovação, Portugal
ines.c@inteli.pt
Wagner Oliver
Innovations- und
Technologietransfer GmbH,
Salzburg, Austria
oliver.wagner@itg-salzburg.at
4
A+24+
25
B+23+
25
G+15
10+11
5
17
7 Abstracts
7.1 Creative Industries, Talent Attraction and Knowledge Bases – The
Case of the New Zealand Film Industry as a Driver of Regional
Development
Asheim, Bjørn (CIRCLE and Lund University, Lund, Sweden) and Santos Cruz , Sara
(Department of Economics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal)
In the globalising knowledge economy nations and regions compete on the bases of unique
competences and products. Traditionally, this has been products from either energy or raw
material based low and medium tech or technology or science based high-tech sectors. Even if
such sectors still remain the bases for economic growth and high standards of living in many
developed economies, cultural and creative industries (film, media, music, fashion or other
design based industries, advertisement etc.) have increasingly become more important as basis
for prosperity and economic growth. What is characteristic for products from such industries is
that the intangible content of the product exceeds the tangible part as sources for value creation
and up-market consumption of high value added products, characterised by highly aesthetic,
artistic and socially symbolic content (i.e. design, branding etc.).
Analysing these new tendencies requires a more sophisticated approach to knowledge and
knowledge creation that transcends the traditional codified-tacit dichotomy. To make sense of
the increased diversity and interdependence in the knowledge process, we think it is important to
start from the premise that the innovation process of firms differs substantially between various
industries and sectors whose activities require specific ‘knowledge bases’ (Asheim and Gertler,
2005). In this paper we distinguish between three knowledge bases: ‘analytical’, ‘synthetic’ and
‘symbolic’, and will especially focus on the importance of this third knowledge base (Asheim et
al., 2007). These knowledge bases contain different mixes of tacit and codified knowledge,
codification possibilities and limits, qualifications and skills required by organisations and
institutions involved as well as specific innovation challenges and pressures. As an ideal type, a
synthetic knowledge base refers to the knowledge required for activities involved in the design of
something that works as a solution to a practical problem, typically for low and medium,
technologically-based sectors. Activities that require an analytical knowledge base are geared to
understanding and explaining features of the universe, which especially characterizes sciencebased high tech sectors. Activities that draw on a symbolic knowledge base deal with the
creation of cultural meaning through transmission in an affecting sensuous medium.
The symbolic knowledge base is related to the aesthetic attributes of products, to the creation of
designs and images, and to the economic use of various cultural artefacts. The increasing
significance of these types of activities is indicated by the dynamic development of cultural
industries such as media (film making, publishing, music etc), advertising, design or fashion and
the use of narratives and appeal to imagination as a way of adding value to products (i.e.
branding). These activities are innovation and design-intensive since a crucial share of work is
dedicated to the ‘creation’ of new ideas and images and less to the actual physical production
process. This type of activities is strongly tied to a deep understanding of the habits and norms
and ‘everyday culture’ of specific social groupings. Due to the cultural embeddedness of
interpretations, this type of activities is also characterised by a strong tacit component. The
acquisition of essential creative, imaginative and interpretive skills is less tied to formal
qualifications and university degrees than to practice in various stages of the creative process.
The process of socialisation (rather than formal education) in the trade is not only important with
18
regard to training ‘know-how’, but also for acquiring ‘know who’, e.g. knowledge of potential
collaborators with complementary specialisation.
Within cultural and creative industries, the film industry has been considered, by far, as one of
the most important, due to its socio-political character, as a performing art and a political
instrument to reach the masses. The particular case of New Zealand is a very interesting
example of global success in terms of the film industry. New Zealand’s cinematographic industry
has been enjoying a steady growth that made possible the achiev ement of an international
reputation, especially due to its creative class, its natural and cultural resources. According to
Richard Florida the New Zealand film industry has succeeded not only in establishing one of the
world’s most sophisticated filmmaking complexes but has also attracted talents from around the
world working in the film and animation industry as well as in related industries (Florida, 2005).
Derived from the flexibility of their film industry, the skills and culture of the local labour, the
language proximities with English-speaking countries, the attractive sceneries with a whole
variety of landscapes, and the government incentives, many New Zealand-made films consist in
co-productions with companies from foreign countries. New Zealand also maintains a firm
connection with Hollywood, as a way to get specialized training and establish important
connections to attract foreign investment and to develop future co-productions.
Film industry in New Zealand also has a highly positive impact in the tourism flows of the region.
Tourism has, by its turn, associated a wide range of activities, such as hotel accommodation,
catering, travel services, among many others in services sector.
Multimedia and digital sectors have been also witnessed a growth without precedents, because
the films’ staff requirements generated local employment and the rise of new businesses. In
many cases, the absence of local specialists made foreign producers bring to New Zealand
entire teams of technicians that spread new practices into the local technical environment. This
was the case of Peter Jackson’s digital company, Weta, which hired over 200 workers to the
production of the “The Lord of the Rings”.
The aim of the paper is to analyse how the rapid growth of the New Zealand film industry took
place, how the innovativeness and competitiveness of this industry, as an example of an
industry based on symbolic knowledge, was actively constructed, and the role played by global
talent attraction for the success of the industry.
References:
Asheim, B. Gertler, M. S, 2005, “Regional Innovation Systems and the Geographical Foundations of Innovation”, In:
Fagerberg J, Mowery D, Nelson R, The Oxford Handbook of Innovation (Oxford, Oxford University Press), 291-317.
Asheim, B.T., Coenen, L., Moodysson, J., and Vang, J. (2007) Constructing knowledge-based regional advantage:
Implications for regional innovation policy. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
Florida, R. (2005): The Fligth of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent. New York.
7.2
Cross-border Cooperation for Knowledge-based Development:
Towards a Roadmap
Berger, Christian; van Winden, Willem; Otgaar, Alexander and Speller, Carolien (Erasmus
University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
In Europe, a growing number of cities are aware of the contribution of cross-border cooperations to the knowledge-based urban economy. Urban public actors have a double role in
this respect. On the one hand they themselves engage in international cooperation (helped by all
19
kinds of subsidies). On the other hand, they may facilitate or promote cross border co-operations
of urban actors (companies, knowledge institutions and others). This paper describes and
analyses cross-border partnerships in five cities (Aachen, Arnhem, Dos Hermanas, Duisburg
and Nijmegen).
We make a distinction between three relevant spatial levels for cross-border partnerships,
namely 1.) the labor market region, 2.) the "one day return trip" region and 3.) the rest of Europe
and the World. Among other things, the paper shows that cities often do not fully exploit their
‘co-operation potential’, partly because co-operations tend to be based on the availability of
funding instead of a comprehensive strategic approach. The paper concludes with a "knowledge
roadmap" for urban policy makers in border regions.
7.3 Clustering and Networking in SMEs Development International
Projects. A Managerial Approach to Push and Pull Intervention for
Enterprise Creation and Entrepreneurial Parks Initiatives
Bianchi, Massimo (Bologna University, Faculty of Economics, Forlì, Italy)
New Business Creation bounded the difference between the a-critic trust in traditional and
expensive interventions for enterprise creation featured by a diffused awareness of restricted
results fulfilled in this field and new perspectives in enterprise creation. Some attentive authors
underlined, at the end of previous century, serious problems of projects aiming to extend
European development models (or in a wider sense Western models or district economies) in
other countries and today there is still a lot of doubts in the strategy of international organizations
and national government to support entrepreneurship in a changing world.
The paper aims to discuss the state of art regarding the managerial side of international
intervention to support the start up of economies particularly considering SMEs diffusion as a
tool for the democratization process and, with a comparative analysis, for the definition of the
models prepared by applied research on managerial topics connected to this subject.
To this purpose the author’s experiences in projects managed in Albania, Bosnia, Serbia and
Slovenia to improve the visibility and competitiveness of local systems will give the opportunity
to compare clustering techniques based on resources and push approach to the enterprise
creation with networking and pull approach connected to the building of stable and predictable
forms of relationship among public and private entities.
7.4
Geographical and Organisational Proximity in Manufacturing
Clusters
Carvalho, Luis and van Winden, Willem (Erasmus University Rotterdam, EURICUR,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Proximity and interaction have been pointed as critical sources of innovation in the so called
knowledge economy. Academic research on the links between territory, firms and innovation has
proliferated in the last decade by the contributions of different research schools - not claiming to
20
be comprehensive, the Regional Innovation Systems, Clustering Theory or the Evolutionary
Geography have been some of the most influential ones.
Clustering theory has been highly influential in explaining clustering drives and advantages, as
well as the link between firm competitiveness, o
l calized embedded networks and regional
development. Simultaneously, evolutionary geographers contributed to explain cluster’s
dynamics over time, as a result of interactive learning processes embedded in institutional and
regional contexts, addressing the governance processes of inter firm networks. The RIS
approach has been focusing on the systemic relations between actors in a wide territorial
context – the region – evaluating to which extend and how that territorial unit would be able to
steer innovation, networking and learning capacity.
However, the work of different geographers and economists increasingly suggests that proximity
may also be unfavourable for innovation in the long run, provoking dangerous lock-in effects. In
this sense, research has been recently evolving towards the study of new dimensions of
proximity for knowledge exchange and interaction, as well as new organisation models
favourable to that interaction. The relevance of organizational proximity should be intercepted
with geographical proximity in order to better understand driving factors of innovation, bearing in
mind that organizational proximity may take place at distant geographical scales. Evidence of
many technology transfer processes depicts the phenomena: firms are frequently linked to other
firms and institutes outside the region, and these linkages may be highly relevant for innovation.
In this sense, the cross theorization between the literature on innovation, space and institutional
setting with other notions for organization studies may yield new contributions to fine tune
relevant spatial and organizational dimensions for knowledge interaction and the role of space in
different types of networks.
Inspired by this on-going debate and based on two comprehensive case studies, this paper
explores the emergent combinations between geographical and organisational proximity and its
contribution to the innovation potential of two manufacturing clusters: shipbuilding in Turku
(south west Finland) and metal electro in Porto (north west Portugal). Empirical and
circumstantial evidence has been collected through secondary data, but mainly through in-depth
and semi structured interviews with key players in both clusters (firms, R&D institutes, sector
associations, public institutions and policy makers).
The paper elaborates on two main issues. Firstly, it depicts different types of networks
contributing to the innovative potential of the clusters, like for instance basic R&D, development
of incremental innovation, design, innovation by market demand-supply relationships, etc.
Moreover, it discusses in which spatial scales these different types of networks are taking place,
contributing to a fine tuned definition of the cluster’s “relevant region”, as we will see, may not be
contiguous. Secondly, taking a regional perspective, it analyses the types of actors that are
binding and linking the different types of networks, like market, R&D institutes, sectors
associations or public policy, as well as its evolution during time – we take an evolutionist
perspective in order to better understand the evolution of innovation network’s “design” during
the last decade.
The analysis of the different case studies reveals many similarities but also differences between
the clusters and urban regions. Both cases show the emergence of geographically broad
relationships for innovation and new product development, although many of the core
competences and its sources are still based in the regional setting. However, the organisation
mechanisms leading those networks tend to be different and evolving, in one case lead by a key
player (Shipyard in Turku) and in the other by market, where multiple SMEs coexist and look for
the better partners towards for joint innovation (Porto).
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7.5 Regional Innovation Policies in Megacities: The Case of Mexico
City
Castaños, Heriberta (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico)
Global change involves risks as well as benefits. New opportunities of innovative strategies
arise for generating sustainable economic formations and lifestyles. Regional innovation policies
must take into account the available resources, including human resources.
During the latter part of the previous century the metropolitan area of Mexico City has
experiences an accelerating rate of urbanization and the rapid growth of satellite urban centers.
Today many millions of people live in megacities such as Mexico City, and the sustainable
development of these urbanized regions has become decisive in terms of the future. Among
other reasons, this is because megacities consume material and human resources from all over
the world. They are interconnected by means of worldwide economic and social networks.
Regional research in this field is needed at three levels: basic, applied and operational.
Mexico City and its connected urban region underwent an extremely diversified and rapid
change which is now leveling off. As the population tends to stabilize there has been a shift of
attention toward problems previously regarded as typical of mature or “developed” societies.
Sustainable innovation in the planning of megacities must take into account the effect of
democracy and income inequality in large urban populations.
For the past seven years Mexico City has been governed by the Left. Political power is based to
a large extent on “clientelist” measures, including the repeal of legal restrictions on abortion and
homosexual couples, the introduction of small monthly payments for the aged, the availability of
low-cost housing to organized voters, and the tolerance of organized street commerce and other
institutions of urban marginality. The city government also sponsors some high-profile initiatives
such as artificial beach resorts, bicycle use by city politicians, free concerts on city squares, and
other publicity events. The present city administration does not recognize the President of the
country but maintains discreet connections with the ruling political party.
Any innovative policies in megacities must involve the difficult concepts of culture and
sustainability. In an interview, Geertz (2000) was asked about his analysis of cockfights, and
“whether one should go back to the natives and show them one’s results.” He replied:
I tried to do that, but the cockfight is based on an illusion, so they do not want to
understand it. If they did, it would not work. Sometimes people have a natural resistance
to understand what they are doing . . . They are not interested in the hermeneutics of
cockfights. They already know what it means to them.
What is the meaning to an inhabitant of Mexico City of democracy in a “complicated
environment”? Here we should consider some of the larger integrating concepts relating to other
peoples, other societies, other cultures. We easily talk about concepts such as tradition, identity,
religion, ideology, values, nation, and about culture, society, state, and people. We profess to
be alarmed about climate change, scarcity of resources, pollution of water supply, soil erosion,
loss of biodiversity, natural disasters, and the impact on social relations of globalization,
migration, population growth, economic competition and so on. But we should realize that global
change is not necessarily disastrous. It can stimulate innovation through economic growth and
increasing cultural diversity. At a minimum the urban population is increasingly informed and
aware of the changes which affect it. This is the essential contribution of democracy.
Global change is affecting Mexico City in several positive ways. As the metropolitan area
extends into the neighboring states of Morelos, Puebla, Hidalgo and Mexico, which are governed
22
by different political parties, urban decisions will be increasingly based on political compromise.
Sustainability means the development of shared criteria for ascertaining whether some specific
regional change is responsible, or if not, whether it should be opposed or prevented. This
implies a co-evolution of natural with social commitments. Thus the stated and the implicit
objectives of economic production, of social participation and of ecological stability are
increasingly conditioned on each other, in order to be able to move toward the objective of
integral development.
Huge urban regions such as the Mexico City metropolitan area accumulate a high density of flow
of resources drawn from all over the world. They are hubs of economic and social networks of
worldwide extent. Foremost among the priorities of present and future administrations is the
need for more and better research. The recent experience in Mexico City demonstrates that
correct political decisions must be based on relevant information. Research and politics are
complementary activities and must be based on each other. Both must be solid and sustainable.
I describe two major Mexico City projects, namely the Deep Drainage System and the Rapid
Transit System, as examples of the importance of first-rate technical information (or its absence)
as a foundation for future political action. Innovation is of the essence.
7.6
Regional Development Planning Through the Cluster Analysis
Devjak, Srecko and Pecek, Bojan (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Administration, Ljubljana,
Slovenia)
One of the main factors of the regional development is a good management practice that is
based on the regional competence. Participation of the citizens at the decision making process
is one of the basic factor for the successfulness of the execution duties. Among economic and
cultivation circumstances there is also a factor of regional identity that plays the significant role.
In the article we represent differences of economic conditions in the Republic of Slovenia as one
of the key factors at the regional management development and regional self administration. A
cluster analysis of the budget revenues for the 12 geographical regions has been executed. For
the same regions also the cluster analysis for expenditures has been done. They represent
essential economic differences at the financial source gathering and consumption of the local
communities.
The consideration of the economic and organisational feasibilities of the regions and the
possibilities of the citizen’s participation at the administration of regions need to be one of the
main criterions at the task definitions of the regions.
7.7
Historical Aspects of Regional Innovation Policies
Dirninger, Christian (Department of History, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria)
Historical aspects for the Land Salzburg will be discussed concerning the role of cultural
resources and creative industries. There are three terms in the centre of interest, each of them
under a specific aspect: Regional Culture of Innovation (specific aspect: disposition,
constellation and structural readiness for regional Innovation Policies), Creative Industries
23
(specific aspect: creative sphere in the regional economic structure), and Cultural Economy
(specific aspect: economization of Cultural resources).
As an economic historian I will try to deal with a historical dimension of these three terms and
their correlation in the regional connection. The main thesis is, that there is in all three cases a
path-dependency, which means a determination of the recent behaviour by the “historical”
development.
The historical dimension is relevant in two perspectives/directions: On the one hand in
characterizing and analyzing the paths of development, on the other hand, how to deal with
historical cultural resources today. In this sense the paper will be structured in two sections.
First, in a characteristic of the historical path of development. This will be based on the thesis,
that the possibilities and chances for regional innovation, creative industries and cultural
economy depend essential on the structural conditions of the regional economy and their
change (conditions of location). In the long run from the 18th century there are two phases in the
economic development of the Land Salzburg. The first one from the age of the archbishopric
with a mainly conservative economic and financial policy and few potential for mercantilist
innovation, followed by the position in the periphery in the process of industrialization within the
Habsburg-monarchy, up to a economic weakness in the first half of the 20th century. Over this
long time in general (with variations in certain phases) one can tal k about a set of restrictive
conditions for regional innovation, creative industries and also for cultural economy.
Another situation can be found since the beginnings of the 1950ies. The structural conditions
and conditions of location of the regional ec onomy became essentially better than in the time
before. The position at a central crossing of European commerce, the domination by small and
middle sized specialized and export orientated industries and the growing importance of the
service sector, especially the tourist industry, created special possibilities and chances for
innovation and economic creativity. The cultural economy was mainly dominated by the interests
of tourism. Since the middle of the 1970ies or the early 1980ies a specific kind of innovation
policy became a more and more important part of regional structural policy, especially in the
promotion of high technology. Beside the “Salzburger Festspiele” as the dominant factor the
promotion of “Regional Culture” became an increasing factor of cultural economy.
In a the two great phases connecting and comparing perspective one can say, that a long time
lasting regional disposition and constellation of “restrictive” or “defensive” innovation culture was
replaced by an increasing “offensive” or “active” one. But in this process of replacement one can
find some specific components of path-dependency. One important is the persistence in the
difference of economic growth and structural change between the more dynamic north with the
central region of the capital in it and the structural weaker mountainous southern part of the
Land Salzburg. Another one is a comparatively lower preference for cooperative institutions, for
example for cluster structures.
The concentration on and promoting “Creative Industries” and “Cultural Economy” as important
growing sectors in the regional economy seems to be the newest step of the specific regional
innovation path. One question in this context is how to deal with historical and cultural resources
(in the sense of ec onomization). This leads to the second section of the paper. There five
strategic and operative issues will be mentioned:
(1) The “musealization” (preservation, restoration, presentation of historical and cultural
resources), (2) the festival- and event-culture, (3) the revitalization and combination of tradition
and innovation in production and trade, (4) the consideration in specific types or elements of
regional economic culture, (5) the promotion of regional economic cycles.
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7.8
From Concepts to Operational Interventions: Discussing the
Implementation of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) in four
Portuguese Regions
Figueiredo, Antonio Manuel (Porto School of Economics, Porto, and Quarternaire, Porto,
Portugal)
In the 1st International Seminar on Regional Innovation Policies, held in Oporto, I have presented
a paper on the role of RIS as a tool for implementing a new cycle of innovation and
competitiveness-oriented cohesion policies. The Portuguese cohesion (objective 1) regions were
presented as an example of territories requiring a new stage in regional planning, going from an
infrastructure investment-driven period into a new one, characterized by higher intensity of
knowledge incorporation in regional development.
Working on the taxonomies of RIS elaborated by Asheim and Cooke, the research was oriented
towards the feasibility analysis of a combined approach involving simultaneously the
reorientation of the Portuguese National Innovation System (PT-NIS) and the implementation of
RIS in some Portuguese regions.
The paper to be presented at the 2nd International Seminar on Regional Innovation Systems
develops this approach in more operational terms. The new programming period of Structural
Funds 2007-2013 will force the Portuguese objective 1 regions to evolve towards new priorities
emphasizing the role and the scope of competitiveness and innovation oriented regional
interventions. It is time to go beyond concepts and to discuss the feasibility of organizing
concrete RIS.
In order to allow for a fertile comparative analysis, the paper discusses in depth the case of four
Portuguese objective 1 regions – North, Centre, Azores and Madeira, a group in which the last
two are outermost regions not integrated in the mainland of Portugal. The reasons why these
regions were selected can be summarized in the following arguments: i) They present different
political and institutional contexts and different governance models – the first two are spatial and
regional planning regions with no political autonomy and no elected governments whereas the
last two are autonomous regions, with elected governments; ii) All of the regions present pathdependent development models in which the implementation of a RIS will be a radical innovation
in the governance model of regional policies, asking for very different patterns of cooperation
with the PT-NIS; iii) In each region there is a group of researchers and of research
organizations, identified in national science policy as examples of excellence, which can be
understood as a building block for organizing the RIS; iv) The group of four regions presents a
very contrasted pattern of productive specialization generating very different conditions for
demand-pull innovation; v) All of them need comprehensive strategies and policies for increasing
the educational level of the labour force.
The four regions represent a solid empirical ground in order to discuss from an operational point
of view the players, the activities, the functions and the systemic interactions between players
which could help to implement RIS in these different contexts. The analysis of the Regional
Operational Programmes for the period 2007-2013 submitted by these regions to the national
authorities and to the European Commission will be a key input to assess the feasibility of RIS
as tools for implementing the competitiveness-oriented strategy that has been programmed.
The paper will be organized in four sections. In the first section, I present the links with the first
paper and the evolutionary theoretical framework used to approach the feasibility analysis of
implementing simultaneously RIS in Portuguese cohesion regions and reorienting the NIS
towards patterns of organization more aligned with fast follower countries.
25
In the second section, I present the four regions characterizing them from the point of view of
innovation needs.
In the third section, I develop a theoretical and an operational framework for assessing the
feasibility of implementing RIS in the four regions, identifying the critical links with the NIS.
Finally, in the fourth section, a summary of conclusions is elaborated, emphasizing the
constraints that should be eradicated in order that RIS could be a tool for implementing the
competitiveness-oriented strategies designed for the new programming period.
7.9
Contrasting Regional Economic Policies in Several States in the
USA and in the Czech Republic
Jones, Roger F. (Franklin International LLC, Brookmall, Pennsylvania, United States) and
Pavelkova, Drahomira (Tomas Bata University, Zlin, Czech Republic)
This paper contrasts several differing regional economic policies in the USA and the Czech
Republic, with emphasis on the various sources of funds and how they are used, together with
“soft” investment in the form of information sharing and collaboration, as practiced in clusters.
Successful examples together with less effective practices and difficulties are analyzed and
discussed.
7.10 Learning From the Successful Companies in a Regional
Entrepreneurial and Innovation System
Lewrick, Michael and Raeside, Robert (both: Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK), and
Peisl, Thomas (University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany)
At a macro level innovation and entrepreneurship policy are vital for a flourishing economy.
Innovation is the production, diffusion and use of new and economically useful knowledge, a key
factor for competitiveness and growth while entrepreneurship is the process of business start-up,
business creation and growth, the entrepreneurial dynamism key to economic renewal and
growth. The target in entrepreneurship policy is to increase start-up rates and support the growth
of firms. Essential to sustainability and growth is the creation of an innovative culture. The
supply of entrepreneurs to fit this culture achieved by educating wider parts of the society to
create graduates with a culture of entrepreneurship and management. Centres of
entrepreneurship attached to Universities give potential entrepreneurs the opportunity to start
innovative start-ups in a supportive environment which combined with regional or national
business plan competitions (BPC), provide an encouraging environment for entrepreneurs
bringing together start-up capital with innovators.
One of these the Münchener Business Plan Wettbewerb (MBPW) is one of the most successful
in Europe and has been the platform to investigate the innovativeness and capabilities of the
high performing companies in comparison to start-up companies. A new evaluation model
(Innovation and Capability Process, (ICP)) allows investigation of innovativeness and capabilities
within a cluster. It includes important factors for economic integration, such as access to
resources, the competitive environment and customers. The assessment of social networks and
26
social capital that might exist in specific regions or within the alumni network of a BPC are also
considered. The idea of this regional BPC is to focus on entrepreneurship with the aim of
strengthening the innovation and knowledge network competition is only two decades old.
Tapping into the network, knowledge and ideas of the cluster becomes essential for success and
it is important to improve the regional economic development paths to educate entrepreneurs
and enterprises to find ways to strengthen core capabilities and to grow and enhance clusters of
innovative activities.
Three inter related questions are addressed in this paper. The first is to identify what drives
innovation and success? Secondly which capabilities have to be developed and expanded in
start-ups companies to allow their survival and growth? Thirdly what role should business plan
competitions have in this development and how should they be designed.
To answer these questions a study of 200 companies which have been through the MBPW in
the Munich area of Germany has been undertaken. The competition was designed to develop
innovative and enterprise skills amongst the participants and has been derived from the BPC of
the Boston Massachusetts Institute of Technology to establish a platform for universities,
entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists to set-up innovative companies and to foster economic
growth in the region. The MBPW aims to create and sustain a lively entrepreneurial culture in the
Munich region. It focuses on stimulating and supporting innovative, fast-growing technology and
service companies during the start-up phase. The MBPW competition provides information and
advice to new entrepreneurs, and nurtures their skills as they design their business plan. The
competition is committed to motivating and encouraging business start-ups from the higher
education and research community. The companies were audited using a specially developed
audit tool the “ICP” to ascertain innovativeness, innovative and entrepreneurial capacity and
factors which may contribute to the enhancement of these.
In this study innovation has been measured, by the number of incremental innovations i.e.
improvement/expansion of existing products, services or processes, radical innovations defined
as breakthroughs which fundamentally change a product or service and the overall number of
innovations. These measures were found to be significantly positively correlated with the sales
and sustainability success of enterprises.
The capabilities for innovation and success examined ranged from knowledge management,
social networks to degree of focus on customer orientation. In total 9 core capabilities are
investigated to detect areas for improvement for start-ups, and mature companies. From
statistical analysis the key factors influencing success in innovativeness were found to be the
degree of competitor orientation, market and competitor environment focus, diversification &
learning, management capabilities and skills, knowledge management, personal and business
networks, inter-organisational network and measurement of company performance.
From the evaluation of company performance within the network of the MBPW, 4 different
groups of companies (Start-ups, and low, average and high performing mature companies) have
been processed through the ICP model to predict the probability of success based on
innovativeness and capabilities. Start-up companies achieved a high success probability
applying the ICP model. Assessment indicates as that Start-ups are particularly good in
competitor orientation, a factor which is essential in a start-up phase as a trigger for innovations.
The areas of improvement are associated with the Market & Competitor Environment as well as
Diversification & Learning. The development of the inter-organisational network and the
measurement of outcomes score low.
Low performing companies achieved a low probability of success. The score on 9 key
capabilities indicates that most of the areas need improvements. Only the inter-organisational
network and the measurement of outcomes achieve average results. Average performing
companies achieve the highest scores with a total capability and potential of 78% and 75%
27
regarding innovativeness. The average performers are best in areas associated to Market &
Competitive Orientation, Innovation Capability Knowledge, Innovation Capability Management
and the Measurement of Outcomes Current high performing companies show a similar pattern
with high scores in Innovation Capability Knowledge, Innovation Capability Management, and
Inter-Organisational networks.
From the results of the study three important findings are made. Firstly, it proves insights to set
the agenda to educate wider parts of the society to establish a culture of innovative
entrepreneurs and graduates and there is a need to enhance their networks. Secondly, it
provides an overview of factors of success and innovation practices that differentiate successful
companies. Thirdly aspects of capabilities and potential which can be enhanced are identified.
Identification of these success factors allows an assessment of the degree to which business
plan competitions and attached centres of entrepreneurship can provide the basis for instilling
and developing these factors. This will be the basis on which the successfulness of regional
business competitions can be critically evaluated.
7.11 Universities and Regional Innovation Systems: The Spanish
Case
López Fernández, Concepción; Serrano Bedia, Ana María; García Piqueres, Gema and
Gómez López, Raquel (University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain)
Innovation is considered to be a key factor both for company competitiveness as well as for
economic growth within the actual context of knowledge, society, and economy, in the sense
that innovation can be understood like a fundamental way of making knowledge. Therefore,
Universities appear to offer a great potential to improve both firms' and national competitiveness.
Universities are one of the most important players in the innovation systems and can generate
innovations alone or cooperating with other players of the innovation systems like innovation
firms and public administration within the regional and productivity environment (Buesa et al.,
2004). The concept of innovation system was originally designed by Freeman (1991), Lundvall
(1992) and Nelson (1993) to analyse innovation in a national context (National Innovation
System –NIS-). It was then adapted by Cooke (1992, 1998) and others in order to develop the
concept of Regional Innovation System (RIS). This concept predicts that regional innovation
processes are mainly shaped by region-specific interactions and institutions. The emergence of
the national and regional systems of innovation approach shifted a conceptualisation of the role
of universities in economic production.
The role of universities has evolved over the last years. The traditional research and teaching
missions of universities have recently been extended to direct interactions with regional
stakeholders (Etzkowitz, 2001; Chartterton & Goddard, 2003). Theorisation of the role of
universities in regional innovation systems highlighted the importance of knowledge spillovers
from the educational and research activities performed by universities in regional knowledge
spaces, towards the development of a third role performed by universities in animating regional
economies and social development (Etzkowitz & Leydesdoff, 1998; Chatterton & Goddard, 2000;
Etzkowitz, 2002). In regard to the role that universities perform in regional innovation systems
there are two dominant approaches: the triple helix model of university, industry, government
relations (Etzkowitz & Leydesdoff, 1997) and the literature on the engaged university (OECD,
1999; Chartterton & Goddard, 2000). These two bodies of literature point to a distinction
between generative and developmental roles performed by universities in Regional Innovation
Systems.
28
Following these aspects, the aim of the paper is to analyse the role of the universities as
partners of the Regional Innovation Systems in the Spanish context. We will pay attention both
to the research and teacher point of view and from a double input/output perspective. In order to
achieve our objective we first present a descriptive analysis for the sample characterization of
Spanish regions and then, we carry out a cluster analysis. The empirical test uses Spanish data
contained in the “Estadística de I+D” for the year 2005 and in the “Estadística de la Enseñanza
Universitaria en España” for the 2005-2006 period. The data are provided by the Spanish
National Statistical Institute. The finds of the study allow us to know if the universities that spend
more resources in their innovative activities are the same that get better results. The usefulness
of the finds obtained in this study will focus on aiming the design of regional innovation policies
in order to promote the positive effects that universities can generate at a regional level with their
double function serving as generators and transmitters of knowledge, which converts them into
prominent agents of the innovation processes.
7.12 Cultural and Sporting Events to Promote Regional Development
and Innovation – The Case of Rugby Sevens
McQuaid, Ronald W . (Employment Research Institute, Napier University, Craiglockhart
Campus, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)
This paper aims to estimate the economic impact of a large international rugby sporting event on
both a regional and a city economy. In addition, it seeks to investigate the regional origins of
visitors to the event, and investigates the relationship between residence and expenditure. It
develops a model of visitor and other expenditure at a major sporting event in Edinburgh,
Scotland.
Data are taken from visitor interviews, and an econometric model developed combining
macroeconomic and socio-economic data. This controls for individual characteristics and
estimates derived elasticities for the macroeconomic determinants. This can assist regional
policy formulation in attracting higher spending visitors thereby maximising the income and
employment benefits from sporting and other events.
7.13 Limits and Challenges to the Introduction of Regional Innovation
Systems in Peripheral Regions: Evidence from Pará, Brazilian
Amazon
Monteiro, Maurilio (Institute for Advanced Amazonian Studies, Federal University of Pará,
Belem, Brazil), Bastos, Ana Paula (Institute for Advanced Amazonian Studies, Federal
University of Pará, Brazil) and Puty, Claudio Castelo Branco (Department of Economics,
Federal University of Pará, Brazil)
This article analyses recent efforts to implement a regional innovation system in Pará State,
Brazilian Amazon, describes the economic structure of the State, its productive specialization
and its potential growth. The region is social and economic characterized as peripheral in a
sense that when compared to other regions it is not attractive to capital and technology intensive
activities. Except for natural resources exploit economic activities as mineral, metallurgy, timber
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and agribusiness. Her economy is then propelled by primary and low technological intensive
sectors. Using OECD (2003) STAN indicators database, we found that in 2006, 71,31% of its
exports were low-middle technological intensity and 27,29 low technological intensity.
The departure point to promote a regional innovation system based on knowledge share among
economic agents is thus quite low. Arguing that an economy based on learning and knowledge
does not exclusively occur in a high technological intensive economy, as when implementing a
regional innovation system the institutional mechanisms of learning, interaction and diffusion
play a distinctive role, we believe that recent efforts of state government in establishing are
founded in this same argument. Thus authors discuss the structural barriers present in the
region as a result of several modernizing strategies implemented in the past. Those strategies
were based in a linear model of innovation, science and technology (S&T) that amplified the
peripheral status of the region. Although, the capital intensive projects to exploit (and primary
industrialized) mineral resources and integrate the area via national roads, indeed created some
development in the industry and agribusiness sector but did not promote any innovation:
technology and capital was bought not developed locally.
The asymmetrical interdependency among regional and national policies is analysed, too. As
well as public policies towards S&T and R&D, internal sources of knowledge production
(universities, research institutes, and other intermediary organizations and institutions providing
government and private innovation services) and firm interaction with public sector. Regarding
this interaction, findings showed that locally firms demonstrate a low demand index for S&T
public infra-structure. More recently, State government is implementing public policies in a
tentative induction of different institutional arrangements with higher complexity, this is also
described and analyzed by authors. Concluding remarks are made on the limits and challenges
of building virtuous links of cooperation between firms, government, universities and other R&D
institutions, creating endogenous innovation structures in a peripheral region, as a catch up
strategy towards more developed regions.
7.14 Regional Innovation in a Service Oriented Economy: The
Example of Salzburg
Salletmaier, Christian (State Administration of Salzburg, Department of Regional Development,
Salzburg, Austria)
In its economic development strategy the region of Salzburg has put emphasis on the support of
existing and the development of new company networks. Basis for this was a regional innovation
and technology transfer strategy that was developed in the late 1990ies under the EU RITTSinitiative and has since then guided the development perspectives of the region. It is mainly
based on the idea of a development in those sectors that showed potential for "clustering". After
about ten years of implementation of this policy it can be observed that a continuation of this
strategy will need increased of efforts at a low rate of returned success. First of all, the potential
for company networks has largely been exhausted, the scientific basis of the region has been
widely exploited and it takes considerable efforts of the public sector and will even take more in
future to bring desirable developments on track. What can be observed in the last few years are
several attempts to break the limits of this sector approach in favour of a somewhat wider view.
Another innovation gap is, however, still visible: The basis for innovation activities is rather small
with regard to the number of companies. Many small service sector companies (especially
tourism and traditional crafts) must be integrated into the innovation process.
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For the time being, five different clusters can be made out as being the main sources for regional
innovation activities:
1. Sports, health and food
2. Wood, building and construction, energy
3. Design, media and communication
4. Logistics, Security and GIS
5. Small scale networks on sub-regional level
Each of the sectors in each of the above clusters has been striving more or less independently
for better development conditions: A wood-cluster has been established as direct result of the
RITTS-project in 2000, a multimedia cluster was in operation for some years, there have been
activities in the food sector to strengthen the companies, a design initiative is on its way and the
activities in GIS are largely driven by the research sector. A few other small networks on subregional level have appeared: An automotive network, comprising of about 12 companies, some
logistics nodes show fist successful results. The crucial point, however, is the absence of a
critical mass for almost all networks.
A regional economy with about 525.000 inhabitants and a workforce of approximately 280.000
with a high share in services, must find new ways to accelerate its economic development. In
this setting, some strategic options that build on existing structures and add new elements can
be made out as answers to the changing need of the innovation process. A first idea of this is
given in the Regional Competitiveness Programme Salzburg 2007 – 2013 which focuses on
"intelligence" as a main feature of Salzburg. What is meant by this is the fact that a recombination of existing structures, knowledge and procedures can help increase the innovation
process and rise the innovation potentials and close the innovation gap that is still existing. If we
consider the above "clusters" as the sides of a pentagon the processes that must take place
within the pentagon must include all five sides. Furthermore the exchange between the sides
must be intensified and the scope both in activities and companies must be broadened.
For the Salzburg region the following processes and approaches can be considered as
potentials for successful development:
Platform approach: Gaining scope, size, potential and critical mass for innovation can be
achieved by exchanging knowledge and ideas across the sectors. Especially SMEs do not
generally generate knowledge but adapt and adopt knowledge of other companies and of R&D
institutions. Policy therefore has to aim rather to the exchange of knowledge than to the creation
of new knowledge.
Disruptive Innovation: The idea is to create something entirely new by re-combining existing
products and service or adding something new to the existing. Especially in the combination of
services and products new and striking ideas can be generated. It will be the task of a future
innovation policy to provide the playground and observe the rules (if any) for this highly creative
process.
Crossing borders: Networking on all levels (institutions and companies) is an imperative to find
new markets and new resources. When the internal market becomes too small for products and
services and qualified workforce becomes a scarce resource, crossing borders is essential.
Policy must support efforts and initiatives to overcome the existing barriers.
Innovation governance: Innovation policy thinking is still too much involved in the productive
sector and its innovation models and must recognise that service sector innovation needs a
somewhat different approach. Policy must aim at understanding the needs of the service sector
and find ways of combining the service with the productive sector.
The contribution will outline the ways in which the region of Salzburg could improve and
implement its regional innovation policy.
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7.15 The Art & Culture-Industry, Regional Economic Development,
and Innovation – Salzburg as an Example
Scherrer, Walter (Department of Economics and Social Science, University of Salzburg,
Salzburg, Austria)
In the 1st International Seminar on Regional Innovation Policies in Porto (February 2007) the
impact of the arts and culture sector on Salzburg’s economy in terms of employment and income
effects was discussed and various models of regional economic development and their
contribution to explain the sector’s significance in Salzburg’s economy were reviewed.
In this contribution the analysis is extended and innovation-related aspects of the arts and
culture sector are developed. Links between the arts & culture sector and other sectors are
discussed, in particular the arts and culture sector is addressed both as a source of innovation
and as a target field of innovation. Four types of innovation emerge from this perspective:
Generic innovation within the arts and culture sector, the transfer of existing knowledge from the
arts and culture sector to other sectors (in particular to “creative” industries), innovation in the
arts and culture sector which is driven by innovation originating from other sectors, and the arts
and culture sector as a catalyst for innovation in other sectors. As these different types of
innovation go hand in hand with different knowledge bases required for innovative activities
different economic policies in order to foster the role of the arts and culture sector in the regional
innovation environment might be required.
7.16 Environment Based Innovation: Policy Questions
Silva, Mário Rui, and Pessoa, Argentino (CEDRES, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do
Porto, Portugal)
Natural resources and physical cultural resources, termed in this paper as “Environmental
Resources”, can be important assets for regional competitiveness and innovation. In recent
years, these kinds of assets are being more considered in regional development strategies,
because they can be a source of differentiation and of new competitive advantages. However,
innovation policies and its instruments are largely shaped for knowledge-based innovation. On
the contrary, policies towards environmental resources are usually focused on environment
protection.
In this paper we discuss the role of environmental resources in regional innovation policies. We
begin by relating environmental resources with regional development and by emphasizing some
opposite views in what refers to the function of environmental resources in regional
development. Next we deal with the relationship between regional competitive advantages and
innovation strategies. The specificities and problems that arise when the aim is to construct
competitiveness advantages through environmental resources valorisation are the core of
section 3. In that section, we highlight the characteristics of environmental resources and we
check the applicability of the “natural resource curse” to the competitiveness based on
environmental resources. The reasons that justify the public intervention as well as some
instruments of national / regional /local policy are also examined. The paper ends with some
conclusions and policy implications.
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7.17 “For Developing Competitiveness You Need a Systemic
Approach”
Skomsøy, Gunnar (CERUT, Karlstad University, Sweden)
It is needed to have a systemic approach to regional development when competitiveness shall
be increasing. All institutions, public as well as private are tools in the development of regions.
Innovation is essential keyword for developing all types of institutions, both public sector and
industry. From companies digging raw material in mines, companies pumping oil from a deep
see wells, to advanced biotechnology or electronic production, and public and private service
industry delivering their stuff to the most sophisticated end users.
To get unique innovations we need the right competences, advanced institutions like companies,
politicians, all types of infrastructure and a superior market. A good innovation history gives selfimportance, which is necessary for the ability to take sustainable strategic decisions.
From my experiences I often see absence of systemic thinking as one of the m ain fail to notice.
The managers in charge of development “over all” strategies, politicians and civil servants are
focusing on the area they are responsible and do rarely have an overview and a centre of
attention for increasing the present values in the region. Their main objective should be
developing “Standard of Living” for the inhabitants. This missing centre of attention often leads to
mistrust between public and private sector, where they don’t se themselves as tools for reaching
common objectives. This lack of understanding and communication are to often resulting in bad
working environment and influence the parties in a negative way.
In cases of developing an increased “Standard of Living”, it is a question of having the right
competences, organized institutions and infrastructure, inclusive cognitive infrastructure. The
right mix will influence the innovations and strengthen the competitiveness. This is a selfstrengthening situation, where the winner always will get more than the others.
In the production of competitiveness the public and private institutions are tools in the process to
increase the total values in the region. The public sector main responsibilities are to extend
these values and attract, to gather with the industry, new competenc es to establish. The private
business shall convert competences, workforces and infrastructure into values. For staying
competitive they need to be at least as innovative as other in the same cluster.
This article is presenting several models with a system ic approach, developed for leaders in
charge of producing regional strategies. These models have been used for understanding and
analysing the history, the present situation and future possibilities, to find who are competitors,
possible alliance partners, strength and weakness.
Important for this work is to understand which clusters my region is part of. Is my region a
satellite to other more important parts of the cluster, and where is the innovation centre of my
cluster? The globalization of the economy, through the last decades has changed the need of
competitiveness dramatically and this is the reason for focusing of systemic thinking and
development of more sustainable strategies.
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7.18 Infrastructure Gap in Poland as Compared to Selected European
Countries
Sobiech, Katarzyna (Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland)
The subject of this paper is the estimation of the size of the infrastructure gap in Poland.
Synthetic estimators are used - despite some controversy - to describe the distance between
countries in the area of infrastructure. In the introduction, the sources of the Polish infrastructure
gap are pointed out. In the main portion of the article, the method of assessing the infrastructure
gap is presented, and the assessment is performed for Poland and selected European states.
In empirical international analyses fragmentary measures of infrastructure are the most
frequently used, representing what is available in each country. Therefore, in order to describe
the distance between countries in the area of infrastructure, it is necessary to use synthetic
measures or estimators.
The method applied by the author for assessment of the infrastructure development in Poland
and fourteen selected countries, is based on the method used by the group of economists
whose leader was Eva Ehrlich. In Poland, Marek Ratajczak, professor at the Poznan University
of Economics, presented the method. In this formula it is possible to notice some similarity to the
Geneva method – the idea of threshold and use of natural measures link the methods. In the
Geneva method, the maximum and minimum thresholds are used. However, in the method
presented in this paper only a maximum threshold is being applied. It is defined as the biggest
value of all the empirical numbers. Here it is worthwhile to underline how important for the
results the selection of countries is: adding an additional country, which surpasses the rest of the
group in the level of development of one of the given infrastructure components, can completely
change the final results, because it changes the largest empirical values.
The starting point of the applied method is the construction of a matrix, in which the number of
rows equals the number of compared states plus one more. The number of columns
corresponds with the number of natural fragmentary measures of infrastructure development
taken into consideration in a specified period. The extra line, being the threshold, contains the
maximum value of all of the fragmentary measures. The threshold can be interpreted as an
additional extra, hypothetical super country, which has obtained the maximum size for all the
other fragmentary measures. Then, the fragmentary indicators of the level of development of the
infrastructure are determined. The threshold for each measure is determined as 100, and the
rest of the measures is compared with the threshold. Received indicators describe the distance
between every state from that one which obtained the threshold for the considered measure.
In the next step, the average of fragmentary measures is calculated for every country. The
average, being situated in the interval 0 – 100, represents the synthetic estimate of the level of
infrastructure development in the given state and in the tested period.
Five natural measures were the basis of obtaining the synthetic estimate. Three refer to the
transport network – the most important link of the infrastructure from the point of the view of
international economic relations. The first one is a so-called average-weighted indicator of
density of transport-ways. It expresses the relation between the total length of railway lines
exploited, of roadways and routes of inland navigation, to the square root of the product of the
surface area and the population in each country. The second measure is the ratio of multifarious
railway lines to the whole rail network; the third is the ratio of motorways to the whole network of
roadways. A telecommunication measure is also taken into consideration. The fifth gauge refers
to the energy infrastructure.
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The author proposed the modification of the synthetic indicator calculated this way for an
additional natural measure, specifically, the indicator of saturation of the telecommunication
market through the GSM phone system (per 1000 residents/citizens).
The method, if slightly modified, might be applied to sub-national level. Regional comparisons
would only demand different selection of natural measures (e.g. resignation of energy
infrastructure gauge as the nature of this type of infrastructure is rather national - or even
international than regional) but the concept remains vivid and useful.
7.19 Innovation Dynamics of Salzburg
Steinmann, Renate and Reich, Siegfried (Salzburg Research, Salzburg, Austria)
The study „innovation dynamics of Salzburg“ describes the development of the economically
related research and innovation in Salzburg during the years 2000-2005. The Innovations- and
Technologietransfergesellschaft Salzburg (ITG) commissioned a working group of Salzburg
Research and ESCE (Social and Economic Research Eisenstadt) with the execution of this
project.
The following study goals can be identified for the study “Innovation Dynamic Salzburg”:
• Description of input and output indicators
• Identification of the degree of networking of the Salzburg economy
• Evaluation of the innovation dynamic in the province of Salzburg
Different indicators are used for the description of the innovation dynamic of the province of
Salzburg. On the one hand input indicators like finances, human capital and the scope of the
innovative company sector are statistically analysed and described and on the other hand output
indicators like patents, utility models and trademarks are analysed. Finally, the degree of
networking describes the connection of density of economical activities and the effectiveness of
regions or companies. The main part of the statistical analysis takes the other provinces into
account. The international definition scope for investigations on innovation is defined by the Oslo
Manual of the OECD. The following section deals with the results of the statistical analysis. The
abstract does not include any diagrams, just a short description of the results. Diagrams will be
included in the long paper.
Input factors: Expenses on research and development: In Salzburg the relative entrepreneurial
proportion of research and development expenses is high which means that companies
contribute a lot to research and development. But looking at the absolute figures the
entrepreneurial proportion is low. The share of international spending is almost non-existent in
Salzburg. With respect to the FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft – Austria’s main agency
for applied research funding), funds for Salzburg are characterised by a strong increase in
recent years, with the absolute funding value per capita still at the lower end compared to the
other Austrian provinces. The governmental spending is in the mid-field with the expenses for
research and development. The detailed analysis shows that 2007 the expenses again increase.
Human resources: In Salzburg the proportion of research and development staff stayed nearly
constant from 1998 to 2004. Despite the increase of the proportion of research and development
employees in Salzburg, the absolute numbers are sill low.
Scope of the innovative company sector: Salzburg shows a relative strength in knowledge
intensive services and is at the last position regarding the proportion of the employees in the
medium and high technology sector.
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Output factors: Referring to the specified output indicators (patents, utility models, trademarks),
Salzburg is in the mid-field with the patents and very good in trademarks. In general, Salzburg
does not have any outstanding values regarding the above-mentioned indicators.
Degree of networking: The degree of networking of an economy can be described through the
following terms: Linkage of economical activities and Cluster structure of a region.
The linkage of economical activities is explained through the regional and the structure factor.
The regional factor describes how much the economic growth of a certain area (e.g. the province
of Salzburg) is in line with the whole area (e.g. Austria). Salzburg had a lower economic growth
from 2000 to 2004 than the rest of Austria. The structure factor describes the possible influence
of the structure of a certain sector on the economical development. In Salzburg also the
structure value is below average, which can be explained by the low proportion of growth
intensive sectors compared to whole Austria. The degree of networking also deals with the
cluster structure of a region. The clustering activities will be described in detail in the long paper.
Conclusions
General economic situation in Salzburg: Regarding the general economic situation of Salzburg,
Salzburg reaches excellent values in the field of employment and has for example the forthlowest unemployment rate of all EU regions (year 2005: 3,2%). Furthermore, Salzburg
documented an export growth between 2003 and 2005 of 31% and has after Vienna the highest
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 31.800 Euro per year.
Strengths in the innovation field: In the Knowledge-intensive services sector Salzburg is at the
second place compared to the other Austrian provinces. Additionally, Salzburg is very good in
the ability to export knowledge intensive services. Within the knowledge intensive services the
sector “services of computing and databases” has to be pointed out. This is a key sector, which
highly contributed to the production output of the Salzburg economy. Key sectors in the area
Medium and High-tech production are the sectors “engineering” and “other vehicles”. Salzburg
has a low import quote in the knowledge intensive sectors and the human capital is well
educated.
Weaknesses and opportunities in the innovation field: Salzburg’s weaknesses should be
regarded as challenges. These are the following: The growth intensive sectors should be
supported as in Salzburg the growth intensive sectors are underrepresented by now. The
medium high-tech and high-tech production area should be extended with the help of research
and development cooperation. Another important point is the improvement of the industryscience cooperation.
Outlook: The province of Salzburg is economically successful: Salzburg is second in its GDP
after Vienna and also has a low unemployment rate. In order to be able to stay at this level it is
important to use relevant growth opportunities and to invest in knowledge intensive services,
which have a high multiplier effect. Regional funding programmes, such as “strengthening of the
competitiveness of the region of Salzburg”, follow this approach.
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7.20 Creative Urban Regeneration: Portuguese Cases of “Innovation
Hubs”
Vilhena da Cunha, Inês and Selada, Catarina (INTELI – Inteligência em Inovação, Centro de
Inovação, Portugal)
We have been seeing the emergence of a new era characterized by the growing importance of
knowledge, innovation and creativity, along with the trend towards globalization and
dissemination of information, communications and media technologies.
However, in apparent contrast with this global world, regions and cities have been rising as the
main arenas of territorial competitiveness. The recognized “death of geography” postulated by
several authors has been counterbalanced by the specific historical trajectory and the economic,
political, social, cultural and institutional characteristics of regions and cities.
In this sense, cities have begun to behave like communities of knowledge, innovation, creativity
and learning, becoming more dynamic, complex, diverse, open and intangible. Several authors
have introduced the concepts of “knowledge cities”, “intelligent cities”, “innovative cities” and
“creative cities” to describe this phenomenon. This, of course, does not imply focusing
exclusively on central urban spaces, but rather, a consideration of their insertion in the
designated ‘city-region’ or in the respective regional innovation system.
In this new context, new and alternative regional and urban strategies and policies must be
considered, namely in the area of urban regeneration. Traditional urban renewal policies were
mainly centred on combating social exclusion and were concerned essentially with physical
interventions. But, cities are not only buildings and material structures, but also people, networks
and intangible elements, like memories, history, social relations, emotional experiences, cultural
identities – they are “places of interaction”. Thus, as a complement to mature urban policies,
innovative regional and urban strategies are emerging that aim to foster and create intelligent
spaces within the city: we call them “innovation hubs” (ihubs).
For our purpose, innovation hubs (ihubs) are tools of urban policy oriented towards developing
creative places within the cities, such as in their historical centres or in old industrial or logistical
areas (the so called “inner-city”). The main idea behind this concept is that we can use science,
technology and engineering (as well as design, arts, culture and media) as driving forces of
urban regeneration and redevelopment.
These are “fusion places” where different uses coexist, such as business/entrepreneurial,
research and development, education and learning, shopping and entertainment or community
functions. In fact, ihubs foster a wide variety of interactions and the appearance of mixed-use
environments, blurring the boundaries between physical, digital, economic, social and cultural
spaces. Multidisciplinarity is the main feature of these creative communities, where we can find a
high density of knowledge intensive workers, who look for quality of life, inclusive environments,
social and cultural diversity and digital and physical connectivity. In other words, they are good
places to work, live, learn and play.
Based on the “best practices” collected through the analysis of three international case studies:
“Arabianranta” in Helsinki/Finland, “One-North” in Singapore and “The Digital Hub” in
Dublin/Ireland, the objective of this paper is to explore the potential application of the ‘innovation
hub’ concept to the Portuguese reality. Therefore, we intend to study creative urban
regeneration processes in some Portuguese cities and regions (namely Guimarães and Évora)
in order to validate the benefits and limitations of this innovative strategies and instruments of
regional and urban policies.
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The methodology used for this case study research strategy, can be broken down into the
following phases: definition of a conceptual model, establishment of a set of dimensions of
analysis, construction of a system of indicators, and extraction of conclusions. The empirical
work will be based on the collection of bibliographical elements, direct observation and field
interviews. Starting with the concept of ‘innovation hubs’ as urban creative places, we can
identify seven important dimensions of analysis of the phenomenon: governance, connectivity,
clustering environment, talent environment, built environment, cultural environment and natural
environment. Each dimension of analysis can be evaluated with the help of a specific system of
indicators that can be quantified or qualified based on the information collected through the
empirical work.
This paper intends to extend the research work presented at the “1 st International Seminar on
Regional Innovation Policies” (February, 2007 – Porto, Portugal) centred on “innovation hubs” as
instruments of urban policy and on the in-depth analysis and comparison of three international
case studies of creative urban regeneration processes.
This work is also being developed within a project called “Intelligent Cities”, supported by the
INTERREG III C Programme of the EU and leaded by INTELI – Inteligência em Inovação
(Portugal). The partners of the initiative are DPP - Department of Prospective and Planning
(Portugal), DGOTDU - Directorate General of Spatial Planning and Urban Development
(Portugal), Fundación Metrópoli (Spain), INTA - International Urban Development Association
(The Netherlands) and Cardiff University (United Kingdom). It is also associated with an
academic work in the area of “Urban Regeneration” (Faculty of Architecture – Technical
University of Lisbon), called “Defining an Instrument to Support Cities’ Policy Development:
Innovation Hub”.
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