Regions as the driving forces of European competitiveness: From theory to practice Interregional...

Regions as the driving forces of European competitiveness: From theory to practice

Interregional Seminar and Partnership Fair

Enhancing university-business co-operation

Dr Clive Winters

Coventry University Enterprises Ltd

‘s-Hertogenbosch 19th May 2006

Presentation Overview

• Introduction

• Science-Industry Co-operation: Policy Context • Science-Industry Co-operation: The Role of Stakeholders

• Contact Details

• Questions & Discussion

Introduction

Innovating Regions of Europe – Thematic Network 2002-03

Strengthening Academic Industrial Links (SAIL)

www.sail-eu.net

Innovating Regions of Europe – Subgroup 2005-06

Science-Industry Co-operation

www.innovating-regions.org

Introduction

Policy Context

Co-operation and partnerships between business and Science as an instrument for enhancing innovation

Increase research investment from 1.9% to 3% of GDP by 2010

Increase private sector investment to 2/3 of overall expenditure

Increase the levels of research investment to support long-term

innovation, growth and employment potential

Improvement of Industry-

Science relationships Cultivation of Research / Increased Leverage

Technology AbsorptionCapacity of Firms

Industry Expenditure on Research and Development as a % of Overall R&D Expenditure (R&D Intensity)

0% 66%33% 100%

Co-operation and partnerships between business and Science as an instrument for enhancing innovation

The Role Of Stakeholders

The Role of Stakeholders in the Knowledge Society

Teaching

Commercial-isation

Internal Knowledg

e

ExternalKnowledg

e

Co-operation Networks

KnowledgeSociety

Foresight / Research Priorities

Innovation Strategies

Future Skills Needs

Policy Makers Business

Research & Development

Higher Education

Factors Affecting Science-Industry Co-operation

Business

Instrument

Policy

Education & Skills

DevelopmentForesight

Co-operation

UniversityResources

InvestmentIn R&D

Innovation Services Teaching & Research Funding

New Products& Services

Networks KnowledgeTransfer

KnowledgeBase

KnowledgeAudit

Turnover

InnovationSystem

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: Policy Level (Regional & National)

• Quality related and assessed research• Research papers, citations and patents• Research outcomes rather than economic

contribution

• Funding• Allocation of funding for commercial (third stream)

activity• Equitable distribution of funds

• Establishing Priorities• The role of foresight

Strategic PrioritiesForesight

Society & Industry Need

Funding Future SkillsNeeds

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: Policy Level (Regional & National)

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: University & Research Centre Level

• Focus on Technology Transfer• Targeted at creative firms• Role of university research and development offices• Role of academic and business support staff• Enhancing knowledge transfer

• Product & Market Development• Institutional rules and incentive structures• Delivery of innovation services• Key account management• Engagement processes• Enhancing “absorptive capacity”

Pure & App Research

Product & MarketDevelopment

Teaching

Route to Market: Awareness – Pilot Project - Consultancy

Capacity Building

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: University and Research Centre Level

• Measuring Outcomes and Impacts• Renewal of products, processes and services• Development of new products, processes and

services• Contribution of innovation products to turnover

• Focus on enhancing absorptive capacity• Effective utilisation of internal knowledge, co-

operation networks and external knowledge• Progressing SMEs from low to high-level innovators• Role of tacit knowledge “regional science”

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: Industry Level

Internal Knowledge

NetworksExternalKnowledge

Introduction of New and Revised Products, Services and Processes

New Sales

Enterprise SupportKnowledge**

The Role Of Stakeholders in Science-Industry Collaboration: Industry Level

1. Extension of innovation services provided by universities & research centres

2. University & research centres as a gateway, broker and deliverer of services

3. Universities and research centres to employ business support specialists

4. Provision of core funding for business development (in addition to teaching and research) for universities to support co-operation at the local level

5. Regional & national agencies need to recognise and respond to their role in supporting “science-business co-operation”

6. Qualitative knowledge audits should be adopted within regions to identify the current and future knowledge (both tacit & coded) requirements of SMEs and industrial sectors

Co-operation and partnerships between business and Science as an instrument for enhancing innovation : Key Issues

Contact Details

Dr Clive WINTERSProgrammes DirectorCoventry University Enterprises LtdThe TechnocentreCoventry University Technology Park, Puma WayCoventry CV1 2TTWest Midlands, UK

Email: c.winters@cad.coventry.ac.ukTel: +44 24 76 23 6812Fax:+ 44 24 76 23 6388

Questions and Discussion

Discussion 1

• Should universities & research centres be involved in commercialisation and business support activities?

• Do universities and research centres have the capacity and capability to support research commercialisation and to increase the “absorptive capacity” of SMEs?

• What activities should be delivered by universities and research centres to support business?

Discussion 2

• What role should public agencies e.g. regional development agencies take in supporting both Universities & Research Centre and Business?

• How should funding from national and regional agencies be directed to support science-industry co-operation?

Discussion 3

• How can “absorptive capacity” be improved within Business?

• What approaches should be undertaken to engaging SMEs with Universities and Research Centres?

• How do we progress business from funded support to commercial consultancy / applied research rates?

Regions as the driving forces of European competitiveness: From theory to practice

Interregional Seminar and Partnership Fair

Enhancing university-business co-operation

Dr Clive Winters

Coventry University Enterprises Ltd

‘s-Hertogenbosch 19th May 2006