1、Transforming Regions: From Convergence to Competitiveness,Open Days 2005Gerry Finn Director BMW Regional Assembly,Presentation Overview,Profile of the Border, Midland and Western Region Processes Undertaken Audit of Innovation Regional Foresight Challenges Identified Lessons for next round of Struct
2、ural Funding,Regional Context,BMW Region has 47% of land area, 27% of population & 19% of national GDPGrowing Regional Divide in terms of GDP, unemployment, “brain drain” & infrastructureSignificant underspend in BMW Region at Mid-Term stage of NDP particular underspend in roads, public transport, b
3、roadband and R&DInfrastructure deficit - roads, electricity, gas, ICT etc.NSS sets a new framework for regional development,The Economy of the BMW Region,Traditional sectors (agriculture/food processing/tourism) in decline Low level of high value added activities Low R&D - most research funds alloca
4、ted to S&E Region Relatively low levels of innovation Commitment of Industrial Development Authority to provide 50% of greenfield sites in the region,Audit of Innovation: WHY DID WE DO IT?,To establish baseline situation in the region Identify enablors and barriers to innovation Assess the causes of
5、 low innovation activity Develop concrete proposals to improve performanceComprehensive process involving: - Desk research - Company Surveys- Focus group discussion - Industry case studies- One to one interviews - Interim seminar,Scope of the Audit,Profiling of the BMW Regions economy, Industry stru
6、cture & employment trends Review of entrepreneurial system, company start ups and growth rates. Survey of 215 firms in the BMW region on innovation performance, supports & barriers. Review of Development support system. Assessment of role of 3rd level sector & impact of infrastructure & entrepreneur
7、ial culture on innovation. Recommendations & Pilot Actions,ICT Companies in Ireland,Results of Firm survey,Survey of 215 firms found that in BMW region: Levels of innovation lower than national average (53% versus 79%) Lower rate of product development & patenting Lower rate of linkages with researc
8、h/3rd level institutions Absorbtive capacity for new development generally weak. Lower rate of employment of graduates and Postgraduates,Development Support system,Low access to and uptake of venture capitalLow expenditure in the region on industrial RTDI Level of participation in company based R &
9、D schemes is lowNeed for continued focus on Foreign Direct investmentMany schemes not sufficiently geared to the needs of companies in the region.,Infrastructure & Role of Third Level Sector,Infrastructure deficits add costs to doing business & acts as a disincentive to inward investment Continued i
10、nvestment needed in roads, rail, air, telecommunications & energy infrastructure New strategies required in 3rd level sector Additional resources for industry relevant research activities. Knowledge drain of graduates out of the region evident Need for greater technology transfer between research/3r
11、d level institutions & companies throughout the region,Framework for Regional Innovation,Overview of the Foresight Process,18 month process involving wide consultation within & outside the regionCo-ordinated by BMW Regional Assembly secretariatFacilitated by consultants CM InternationalSteering Comm
12、ittee & 4 expert panelsWide consultation nationally & within regionSubmissions invited from interested partiesLocal/regional/national endorsement obtained,Challenges to the BMW Region as a Competitive Region,Transport and Communications Infrastructure Supporting Business Clusters and Centres of Exce
13、llence Increase in Knowledge-Intensive Activities Competitive use of Natural Resources Increasing Entrepreneurship Industry-Relevant Support Programmes,Challenges to the BMW Region as an Innovating Region,Greater Flexibility and Adaptive Attitudes to Respond to Change Education and Skills Levels to
14、Increase Inter-Agency Colloboration and Academic-Industrial Linkages Technology Transfer and Company Spin-Outs Clustering and Spatial Specialisation Building a Regional Research Base,Challenges to the BMW Region as a Knowledge Region,Identifying and Responding to Future Skills Needs Increasing the K
15、nowledge Capacity of the Region Increasing Life-Long Learning in the Region Appropriate Delivery Mechanisms for Further Education Flexibility and Adaptability of Skills Graduate Retention and Attraction Resources for all Education Levels,Challenges to the BMW Region as a Quality of Life Region,A Des
16、irable Place in which to Live, Work, Visit, Invest Social Infrastructure Sustainability Improved Living Environment Spatial Development Strategies Diversity, Access and Equality Cultural and Social Environment,4 Themes & 4 Panels,4 expert panels selected to explore themes of:A Knowledge RegionA Comp
17、etitive RegionA Quality of Life RegionAn Innovative Region,A Vision for the BMW Region in 2025,An innovative, knowledge-based and competitive region, with a high quality environment, first class infrastructure, visionary leadership and a quality of life for its citizens that is among the highest in
18、the world,Vision, 5 Components & 2 Cross-cutting Themes,The Strategic Objectives,Place 3rd level institutions at the heart of the regions future prosperityCreate an innovation & entrepreneurial cultureBuild on existing clusters & concentrate investmentInvest in infrastructure that builds on the NSSS
19、trengthen regional leadership,The Strategic Objectives (cntd.),Invest in attracting and retaining skills Invest in leading edge business support Invest to make the regions high quality environment sustainable Invest in community & social capital to ensure sustainability Invest in physical infrastruc
20、ture to maximise knowledge capital,Lessons for Next Round of Structural Funds,New approaches to research and innovation activities required and new partnership arrangementsGreater regional differentiation in national strategiesInnovative delivery mechanisms e.g. County and Group Broadband SchemeGrea
21、ter focus on Irelands National Spatial Strategy as a framework for investment,Lessons for Next Round of Structural Funds,Need for greater added value for community fundsBetter co-ordination with national expenditure plans and with agriculture, fisheries, rural, research programmes and human resourcesFrontloading in phasing-in regions requires a pipeline of “spend-ready” measuresInfrastructure deficiencies still prevalent a key determinent of competitiveness,
