1 VERITE The network within the debate on innovation Nicos Komninos, URENIO VERITE Kick-off Meeting Thessaloniki, November 2001

2 Innovation has become a key- element of development The Lisbon European Council (2000) Political goal: Europe should become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy of the world within the next decade The 6 th Periodic Report EU Regions (2001) Indicator of regional competitiveness: GDP/Population=GDP/Employees *Employees/Population Four main factors: (1) Structure of economic activity, (2) Regional accessibility, (3) Innovation activity, (4) Skills /education of the labour force. VERITE is about innovation

3 VERITE is about the innovation gap (data 2001)

4 Innovation is a glocal process involving R&D, TI, companies, regions Innovation is a local process linked to particular localities / environments which enhance innovation: Technopoles Tertiary districts Regional innovation systems Smart cities and virtual local communities VERITE is about organizations and regions Innovation is a global process linked to global corporations and R&D Labs Role of multinational companies First-class R&D institutes International R&D flows But located in a few islands of innovation

5 VERITE is follow-up of (1) INNOREGIO: Dissemination of innovation development technologies

6 and (2) OnLi Virtual network of EU technology parks

7 Working assumptions of VERITE A. Fundamental knowledge development processes sustain innovation B. To these processes correspond specific IMTs  Technology watch: benchmarking, economic intelligence, foresight  Technology transfer: skills transfer, technology clinics  New knowledge into products: product development, creativity, new model products, creation of prototypes  Industrial informatics: co-ordination of knowledge / information processes (MRP/ ERP, BPR)  Knowledge sharing: networking, improvement of supply- chains, stock management, outsourcing VERITE is a discussion / dissemination forum

8 Linkages between fundamental innovation processes VERITE working assumptions

9 INNOVATION is a three-level process: Firm/ Cluster/ RIS - Transformation of knowledge to products and technologies

10 Some practices accelerate innovation processes

11 Innovation Management Techniques and Technologies IMTs for R&D Technology watch Creativity R&D management Marketing of innovation Innovation audit and action plan IMTs for product/ process development Product design and development Business process reengineering Management of quality Decision support systems Material requirement planning / ERP CAD IMTs for technology transfer Technology audit Benchmarking Technology evaluation Technology licensing Technology clinics IMTS for networking Value analysis Supply chain management Outsourcing E-commerce VERITE focus

12 1.The innovative (knowledge-creating) company 2.The innovative (learning, intelligent) region 3.The fundamental innovation processes  Technology watch  Technology transfer  Product development  Co-ordination of flows inside the company / organization  Knowledge sharing along the supply chain 4.IMT as facilitators of above knowledge-creating processes 5.Innovation processes at a virtual level and corresponding IMTs 6.The geography of innovation and knowledge-creating processes: regional/ national/ EU/ global dimensions Major themes of discussion (to add) VERITE

13 Key for success High profile workshops / conferences on innovation processes Review of literature State-of-the-art methods and technologies Contribution from key- researchers and R&D centres Demonstration of methods and technologies Foresight dimension. What to expect in coming years Practical dimension for companies and regions Strong regional dissemination Target group Electronic dissemination Database including articles and reports Internet / open discussion group Portal of IMT providers/ services in Europe VERITE

14 DELIVERABLES 5 High level European conferences 3 Internet based tools  Database of articles on innovation management  Discussion group  Portal of IMT providers Dissemination material Brochure Newsletter Collective book TASKS To organize the discussion on innovation processes, knowledge-creating companies and intelligent regions (conferences) To enlarge the discussion using virtual environments for IMT (portal of providers, discussion group, articles database) To organize the dissemination of IMTs at the regional level Promote joint projects on innovation processes and IMTs development and application Deliverables of VERITE VERITE