News from the IPL
INTRODUCTION
This newsletter is published by The Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, and sponsored by the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The views and ideas expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ontario Government.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
McGuinty Government Invests in Cutting-Edge Medical Research
he McGuinty government is attracting top research talent and investment by supporting the integration of the Robarts Research Institute with the University of Western Ontario. The government will provide $23 million to support the integration of Robarts with the university and to help fund state-of-the-art medical research equipment.
Editor's Pick
Top US Cities for Clean Technology Incubation Clusters
Warren Karlenzig, SustainLand Government
Cleantech (“clean technology”) incubation is fast becoming a hot topic with national significance as opportunities for regional sustainable growth boom in response to recent climate change news and energy price instability. SustainLane Government analyzed US cities to see which led in combining Cleantech investments, infrastructure and supportive policies into a physical “cluster.” Cleantech includes: Energy generation, management and storage, and energy efficiency, including solar, wind, geothermal, fuels cell and hydrogen; Transportation: advanced transportation technologies, biofuels; Materials and Green Building: includes advanced materials and engineering approaches, materials recovery; and Water and air related technologies.
Cities that are leading the US in clean technology are Austin (TX), San Jose (CA), Berkeley (CA), Pasadena (CA) and the Greater Boston region (MA). Austin is in the lead with the establishment of the Clean Energy Incubator (CEI), designed to help promote, test and commercialize green technologies. it is supported by seven private firms and works closely with the city-owned utility Austin Energy, as well as the state of Texas Energy Conservation Office. San Jose has focused on solar and other renewable energies. Berkeley, has recently established a Center for Biofuels and Energy Research. The venture is supported, at a cost of US$500 million, by a partnership of British Petroleum and the state of California. In Pasadena, the California Technical Institute of Technology has established a tech transfer office to support clean energy start ups – Entretec. The state of Massachusetts is one of the leaders in the US on clean energy and environmental policies, as well as VC investment in these technologies. The Greater Boston area has contributed to clean technology by initiating the Ignite Clean Energy Competition, through MIT. Additional financing for clean start ups comes from the US$15 million Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust’s Industry Investment Development Fund.
This report also enables readers to browse best practices in areas of energy/energy efficiency, green building/development, sustainability management, and waste management, to learn more. The SustainLane Government website has recently included Canadian cities and will certainly be a valuable resource to policy makers and practitioners in areas of sustainable urban development.
Innovation Policy
A Call to Action: Why America Must Innovate
Everett Ehrlich, National Governors Association
This report discusses the challenges posed to state economies by the globalization of the economy. This report argues that the global level playing field has made state innovation policy more, not less, important and offers several recommendation to improve state competitiveness. In order to innovate, businesses must have a model and culture of innovation — and a system of governance — that lead them to take the risks necessary to shepherd these inventions into useful products. Innovation depends on reinventing strategies, products, and processes and creating new business models and new markets. It is about selecting the right ideas and executing the
business strategy quickly and efficiently. This report focuses on two dimensions – “setting the stage” for broad economic growth, and “building on strengths” through targeted programs to build local economies. The report argues that US Governors need to develop and implement both strategies over two different time frames; both approaches are critical to preparing states to compete in the 21st century world economy.
Identification of the Technology Commercialization Strategies of High-Tech Small Firms
Diana Hicks et al. for Small Business Advocacy (SBA)
This report takes the first steps towards establishing a classification of commercialization strategies at high-tech small firms. The goal of this study was to capture the business models of innovative firms instead of classifying them by the goods or services they produce. A unique method was used to find these companies: searches of innovative terms on their websites. Six models identified were the R&D organization or contractor, the science-based product/service firms, highly specialized component suppliers (high volume supplier), specialized subcontractor firms (low volume production), product solutions providers, and service solutions providers (technical consultants). This research is useful in determining taxonomies of firm strategies beyond sectoral boundaries, and to identify and understand the special needs of this elite group of small firms.
Exploiting Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Growth
Pamela Mueller, DRUID
Knowledge is recognized as an important ingredient for economic growth in addition to physical capital and labour. While transforming knowledge into products and processes it is exploited commercially. Nevertheless, the existing knowledge stock and the absorptive capacity of actors like employees at firms and researchers at universities and research institutions are conditional for the ability to produce, identify, and exploit knowledge. Since incumbent firms do not exploit new knowledge to the full extent, realized entrepreneurial opportunities may arise. This paper tests the hypothesis whether or not entrepreneurship is an important vehicle for knowledge flows and economic growth. The empirical results indicate that an increase in innovative start-up activity is more effective than an increase in general entrepreneurship for economic growth.
Cities, Clusters & Regions
Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters
The basic purpose of this EDA-funded effort was to develop a database and methodology to help rural areas in the United States assess their regional economic competitiveness to support growth and development strategies. This report contains a summary of the key findings of two projects – one that focused on a national analysis of 17 clusters, and the second, which analyzed in detail the clusters in Indiana’s Growth Region 8.
Statistics & Indicators
Science, Technology and Innovation in Europe – 2007 Edition
This publication presents statistical data and indicators based on a number of data sources available at Eurostat (mainly related to science, technology, innovation and regions). It provides statistical information on the evolution and composition of science and technology (S&T) in Europe and its position relative to its partners. The pocketbook is divided into eight chapters among which: Key R&D input and output indicators (R&D expenditure, R&D personnel and Government budget appropriations or outlays on R&D (GBAORD)); Patents; High Technology; Human Resources in S&T (HRST); Statistics on Innovation. Another chapter gives some background data on population, employment and gross domestic product (GDP).
Canada’s Productivity in Goods Production and Services in International Comparative Perspective
Robert Inklaar, Marcel Timmer and Bart van Ark, Industry Canada
This paper provides a comparison of industry output, inputs and productivity growth and levels of Canada relative to six advanced economies [Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom (UK) and United States (U.S.)]. One of the salient findings is that labour and total factor productivity (TFP) growth in market services accelerated markedly after 1995 in all Anglo-Saxon countries (Australia, Canada, UK and U.S.), in contrast to the Continental European countries (France, Germany, Netherlands) where this sector remained relatively stagnant. While labour productivity growth in Canada slowed down after 2000, the contribution from market services remained high, with most of the slowdown occurring in goods-producing industries. Market services are also the main factor driving differences in TFP levels relative to the U.S. While productivity levels in goods-producing industries are comparable in Canada relative to the U.S., the level in market services is considerably lower. This is also the case in Australia and the UK, while the Continental European countries are on a par with the U.S.
M. Igami and A. Saka, OECD
There is a long history describing the structure and evolution of science. Recent unprecedented progress in access, use, and analysis of information on scientific publications and patents open innovative ways to study the structure and evolution of science. Especially, a mapping of knowledge has received wide recognition as a new, evolving area of research. The ultimate goal of this study is to contribute to endeavours to understand and track the changing nature of science. In this study, current trends in scientific activities were mapped and their characteristics were examined. Research areas were explored through a co-citation analysis and a map of science was generated to analyze how research areas were related to each other. Methodology which is commonly used in social network analysis was also applied to examine knowledge networks at the institutional level.
Policy Digest
Key Findings on Innovation Strategies in the United States
Washington CORE
This report summarizes a set of interviews conducted with experts in innovation policy and competitiveness, from a wide range of sectors in the United States. The United States has been by far the world leader in industrial innovation over the last several decades. This report analyzes the innovation system of the United States by compiling the opinions and observations of top representatives from government (federal, state and local), corporations, academia, finance, think tanks, and competitiveness advocacy groups. This study is valuable to the extent that it can inform Ontario innovation policy by examining the details of an extremely dynamic system where innovation policies and programs, corporate strategies, and economic processes interact.
Some of the advantages that the report highlights in terms of state level policies include:
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Diversity in State Innovation Activities: States provide risk capital, establish Centers of Excellence (COE) at universities, facilitate Government-University-Industry collaboration, provide technology incubation, promote technology clusters, and fund the training of human resources. State governments are very active promoter and participants in the U.S. innovation system.
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Common Commitment to Innovation Policy: Despite gaps between state in terms of development and prosperity, all states recognize the importance of innovation, and promote their own innovation agendas. Massachusetts and California are viewed as leading states in innovation. Mid-western and the Southern states tend to provide more direct assistance to the companies within their states by offering funding and incentives to retain, attract and grow their businesses.
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The Promotion of a Culture of Innovation: State governments agree that innovation is not inherent, but can be encouraged through education and support. Culturally, American society rewards risk taking and supports entrepreneurship. Increasingly, this culture of creativity and entrepreneurship is being supported through collaborations and partnerships between state and federal governments (i.e. the Small Business Investment Research (SBIR) grants).
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Strong Support of Core Competencies: Many states create clusters in such fields as nanotechnology, life sciences, and biotechnology. However, simply imitating other states’ initiatives usually ends in failure. In order to be successful, it is important to focus on each state’s specific competitive advantage in establishing clusters. For instance, New Jersey is the base for major pharmaceutical companies and it focuses on life science for its economic development efforts.
The report cites the “North Carolina Miracle” as an example of successful state innovation policy, and identifies some key strengths of its approach:
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Sustained Collaboration: The major reason for North Carolina’s success is the collaboration among individual stakeholders, including the governor’s office, state government agencies, the state legislature, local government, local economic development agencies, the private sector, and universities. The State of North Carolina was able to orchestrate the efforts of these groups by focusing on the shared goal of fostering the state economy.
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Long-Term Planning and Commitment: North Carolina pursued a long-term plan which led the state to improve steadily and reach its goal of economic and technological leadership. To illustrate, Research Triangle Park (RTP) took ten years to entice one leading business, IBM, to relocate a major facility to the area. Subsequently, other telecommunications and IT industries planted their roots in RTP.
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Policy Evaluation: North Carolina benchmarks its innovation policy, activities and progress on a regular basis against selected states with comparable technological and economic strengths. Their rival states are Michigan, Virginia, Massachusetts, Texas, and Georgia. North Carolina compares its innovation inputs and outputs against those states and learns best practices from these states. Benchmarking helps to identify areas of strength and weakness within North Carolina for the future planning.
This report illustrates how, and which, state and federal programs and strategies have made the greatest difference in US innovation policies. It contains a variety of lessons that may be effectively adapted to the Canadian and Ontario contexts.
Events
Lisbon, Portugal, 2-5 April, 2007
This event by the Regional Studies Association will take place in Lisbon. Many topics will be discussed such as: developments in regional economics and spatial analysis; tourism, regional development and sustainability; knowledge, competition and cohesion; creativity, innovation and cultural economy, and global challenges for manufacturing and services.
Dublin, 19-20 April, 2007
The workshop will focus on how strategic policy intelligence tools can, in a regional context, guide concrete innovation support measures. In what way and to what extent can ongoing innovation policy instruments absorb and implement policy intelligence?
This workshop aims to bring together policy research experts and those responsible for policy implementation and to link strategic policy intelligence theory with practical research opportunities.
Toronto, 24-27 April, 2007
BioFinance 2007 is a gathering of some of the most innovative minds in the life science industries featuring presentations by senior management from more than 100 Canadian, US and European life science companies. The range of participating firms includes large publicly traded and major private companies as well as early-stage opportunities. The companies will highlight their development plans for new medicines and technologies in the fields of cancer, cardiology, medical devices, neuroscience, immunology, genomics, diagnostics and new research tools. BioFinance 2007 will feature a CEO Forum to address specific financing and management issues relevant to Chief Executive Officers in life science companies. It will also have specialty panels on topics including access to public markets in the US and Europe, investing in medical technologies, pharma-biopharma deals and early stage venture financing from private and public sources
Hydrogen Fuel & Fuel Cells 2007: International Conference and Trade Show
Vancouver, 29 April – 2 May, 2007
Today’s energy challenges have no boundaries. Energy security, climate change, and clean air concerns challenge communities around the world. International research, business and policy collaborations are ensuring that technologies, such as hydrogen and fuel cells, will provide a sustainable future for generations. This conference and trade show will highlight these global activities and developments. Canada, and particularly Vancouver, boasts unrivalled hydrogen and fuel cell expertise. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore BC’s Hydrogen Highway, experience the latest in hydrogen and fuel cell innovations and visit the most advanced hydrogen and fuel cell research facility… the National Research Council’s cutting-edge Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation.
Toronto, 1 May, 2007
Connect with people and speakers and discover what is next in innovation in Ontario. The program includes a keynote address from Ray Kurzweil, one of the worlds most respected thinkers and entrepreneurs and Richard Florida, author of two widely influential books about the relationship between creativity and competitiveness. Sessions cover the issue of Technology Revolution, The Innovation Highway, Creating Value – Driving Success, Ideas to Income, Innovation and Technology Convergence, and the IP Debate.
Pacific Regional Science Conference Organization (PRSCO) 2007
Vancouver, 6-9 May, 2007
The central theme of the conference is “Creative City Regions: Examining Their Role in the Pacific Rim”. Cities have always been the crucible of culture and civilization, and the hubs of wealth creation, but today they face enormous challenges. Compounded by infrastructural, economic and social problems, dramatic changes are taking place. If cities are to flourish, there has to be a paradigm shift in the way they are managed, to draw fully on the talents and creativity of their own residents – businesses, city authorities and the citizens themselves. The host city, Vancouver, is a multicultural and diverse urban area with a high quality of life. It is poised to stage the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Join us at PRSCO 2007 when we shall examine the role of the `new economy’ and `cultural industries’ in Pacific Rim city regions. Paper submission deadline has been extended to February 28th, 2007.
Miami Beach, Florida, 13-17 May, 2007
IAMOT 2007 will provide an international technical forum for experts from industry and academia to exchange ideas and present results of ongoing research in the following tracks: Knowledge Management, Green Technologies, Social impact of technology development, MOT Education and Research / Corporate Universities, New Product/Service Development, National and Regional Systems of Innovation, Small and Medium Enterprises, Emerging Technologies, Technology Transfer, Marketing and Commercialization, Technology Foresight and Forecasting, Information and Communication Technology Management, The Integration of Technology and Business Strategies, R&D Management, Project and Program Management, Industrial and Manufacturing System Technologies / Supply Chain Management, New Forms of Organizations, Management of Technology in Developing Countries . Technological Alliances, Mergers and Acquisitions, Theory of Technology, Technology Incubation, Management of Technology for the Service Economy, Innovation/technological development and productivity
Singapore, 16-18 May, 2007
Organized for the first time in Asia, Triple Helix VI 2007 will provide a global forum for academic scholars from different disciplinary perspectives as well as policy makers, university administrators and private sector leaders from different countries to exchange and share new learning about the diverse emerging models of the entrepreneurial university, the changing dynamics of University- Industry-Government interactions around the world and the complex roles of the university in local, regional and national economic development.
Toronto, 28 May – 1 June, 2007
Toronto’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry cluster will come together to celebrate being the largest high-tech hub in Canada and the third largest in North America. During this event a series of activities will be undertaken to showcase the depth and breath of Toronto’s high technology sector. These will include trade associations’ events such as seminars and business networking functions, job fairs, collaboration demonstrations, an ICT business open door program, school projects, educational seminars, special exhibits showcasing innovation & excellence and other ICT sector- related activities. An organizing committee formed by ICT industry stakeholders representing a cross-section of this industry, in both the private and public sectors, has been formed to implement this initiative
Photonics North 2007 – Closing the Gap Between Theory, Development and Application
Ottawa, 4-7 June, 2007
Conference topics include, but are not limited to: biophotonics, fiber lasers and amps, guided wave devices, industrial applications, new optical materials and nanophotonics, optical sensors and detectors, optics and photonics in defence and security, photonics design and simulations, photonics devices and networks, and ultrashort pulse lasers. The call for paper submissions has been extended to February 26, 2007.
Toronto, 14-16 June, 2007
This interdisciplinary conference, the second presented by the Design Exchange, Canada’s National Design Centre, seeks to explore
the varied and future states of cities. Papers are invited that address such related and relevant topics as green space in cities,
infrastructure, technology, environmentalism, and sustainability, Brownfield rehabilitation, exurban growth, public transportation, universal design, street furnishings, climate change and disaster preparedness. Several themes of interest : mass media, technology, infrastructure and policy and social responsibility.
Regional Innovation in Traditional Industries
Volterra, Italy, 23 June, 2007
This workshop is part of the Structural Activity Line 3 of the DIME Network of Excellence and focuses particularly on the impact of diversification within various sectors ranging from previously highly industrialized regions to agri-food regions. The workshop will assess the way in which global competition from emerging markets is challenging traditional industries, what their responses are and how innovative and how successful such responses may be. Taking a regional innovation systems approach, the workshop will explore how network interactions can reshape a region, the effects the transformation has on the regions, and the challenges to economic growth accompanying the changes.
3rd International Conference on E-Government
Montreal, 27 – 28 September, 2007
Alongside the rise in e-Government provision comes a greater interest in the study of e-Government, from both a practical and a theoretical point of view. As controversy rages around issues such as e-Voting and identity cards, so academics and practitioners pick up the gauntlet of supporting or attacking these issues. Service providers too have their opinions to share. Much time and money is being spent in considering the best way forward and in examining what has been done well and what lessons can be learnt when things go wrong. This conference aims to bring evidence of the research being undertaken across the globe to the attention of co-workers and the wider community for the purposes of helping practitioners find ways to put research into practice, and for researchers to gain an understanding of additional real-world problems. The advisory group for ICEG 2007 therefore invites submissions of papers on both theory and practice in respect of the conference themes outlined below, from academics, government departments and practitioners in the public and private sector.
Atlanta Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy 2007
Atlanta, October 19-20, 2007
The landscape of global innovation is shifting, with new problems and actors emerging on the scene. National governments are looking for new strategies, and they are turning to the science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy research community for models and research results to tell them what works and what doesn’t, under what circumstances. The Atlanta Conference provides an opportunity for the global STI policy research and user communities to test models of innovation, explore emerging STI policy issues, and share research results.
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This newsletter is prepared by Jen Nelles.
Project manager is David A. Wolfe.