E-commerce and regional innovation policies: The case of RPIA-NRW Michael Guth Sen. Consultant and Project Manager ZENIT GmbH Phone: Mail: VERITE Conference The changing role of supply chains in regional development Cardiff, February 20-21, 2003

Regional Programme with Innovative Actions in NRW RPIA - NRW: Background Legal Framework: Art. 4 of ERDF regulation (innovative measures) New approach of the Commission  regional economic development based on technological innovation  Information society serving regional development  regional indentity and sustainable development Whole territory of EU is eligible for funding (150 regions) Funding: 50 % - 80%; 0,3 – 3,0 Mio. EUR ERDF contribution Further information

RPIA - NRW: The policy approach Planning and testing new opportunities for the use of information society for regional development Stimulating the use of ICTs both in the public and in the private sector Mobilising more momentum by influencing mainstream programmes

RPIA: Two elements ZENIT: Technical assistance organisation Internet- strategies for SMEs Action 2 Objective: - Raise awareness for a strategic use of the Internet by SMEs - Implementation of innovative internet orientated strategies with/in SMEs Obj. 2 areas only E-regional development plans (e-RDPs) Action 1 Objective: -Developing and implementing local/regional strategies and plans for the integration of Info. Soc. into regional development (RISI) Total territority of NRW

Public resources per action: 2 Mio. € Financing: 50% ERDF + 50% NRW Period: – ( ) RPIA NRW RPIA - NRW: administrative/financial details

Micro level: e-commerce activities do not only concern POS; all (firm)parts of the intra-firm value chain have to contribute to a successful e-commerce approach (hence strategic use of ICTs - mainly internet - is key for success). Meso level: Regional development strategies in NRW focus on (in between) cluster building. Internet elements in policy approaches focussing on networks/clusters are half- way to B2B e-commerce activities in regional supply chains. Macro level: Cluster approach is a new guideline for regionalised (policy)innovation policy in NRW. Government intends to reduce digital divide. Both micro and meso level are in the RPIA‘s focus. E-commerce dimension RPIA NRW

RPIA NRW: Quantitative Results eRDP Expr. of interest:29 Official proposals:15 Funding request:2.5 Mio. EUR Internet SME Official proposals:28 Selected:9 Funding request:1.8 Mio. EUR

RPIA NRW Examples of selected projects 1/2 e-RDP Online application and approval of heavy weight lorry traffic on roads Electronic database for industrial sites in rural areas Co-operation platform for tourism Regional competence network using ICT elements for network enhancing

RPIA NRW Examples of selected projects 2/2 Internet SME Programming and running of a cluster-server in the field of metal- construction New e-commerce technologies for shops and trade firms Strategic use of internet in small book-shops (Hugh Grant‘s book- shop in Notting Hill) Portal for crafts firms

RPIA NRW Preliminary results / „hopes“ E-commerce activities will foster cluster building E-commerce increases market transparency  competitive pressure   Creation of competitive advantages in the notion of M. Porter

(Very) First policy recommendations Raising awareness and training is still necessary Integration of e-commerce support actions into cluster policy approaches Generation of „best practice“ through public funding AND Dissemination of best practice (=raising awareness and training) RPIA NRW