Baltic University Network for Local Economic Development (BUNLED) European Experience in Developing Partnerships Between Sectors Baltic University Network for Local Economic Development (BUNLED) Per Lind Professor Industrial Development Gotland University Sweden

BUNLED - Background The EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region (EUSBSR) is a vision for increased collaboration between countries with focus on environment and sustainable growth. Universities are important actors through their role as observers, analysts, and drivers of collaboration. Collaboration between universities municipalities and local industry is of particular importance. BUNLED – Baltic University Network for Local Economic Development started in 2011 between University of Gotland and University of Latvia with additional potential partners. Financial support from the Swedish Institute and participating universities

Problems to be addressed High quality academic teaching requires high quality teaching staff – University collaboration enables shared quality staff Low or no interaction between universities-municipalities-small business – Joint efforts can contribute to local economic and social development Low productivity and added value in manufacturing – but the manufacturing sector essential for economic development and employment – Joint efforts to strengthen manufacturing sector through organisation and management development

The importance of the manufacturing sector: A driver for economic development that stems from its integration with other economic activities: Contributes a significant proportion of added value to GDP; Generates down-stream activities in other sectors such as service, transport and commerce; Generates up-stream activities in other sectors such as agriculture, mining, forest and other capital goods.

Manufacturing sub-sectors A, B and C and their relative significance for development Significant for development (A) Contribution to development (B) Marginal significance for development (C) Machinery (excl. Electrical)Food and BeveragesTextile and Shoes Electrical Machinery and Electronic/Scientific Instruments PaperWood and Furniture Transport Material Industrial Chemicals, Petroleum/Coal Products, Plastics Products Printing and Publishing Final Chemical productsBasic Iron and Steel Pottery and China, other non- metallic Products Rubber Metal Products, excluding Machinery Tobacco Miscellaneous Manufactures Glass products

Manufacturing added value in Estonia, Latvia, Sweden

Manufacturing Employment in Estonia, Latvia, Sweden

Collaboration models The government- academia - industry model: work together to stimulate knowledge-based economic development in high-tech sector (Triple Helix). Weak points: reality in many countries is that employment and added value comes from low knowledge-based industry and low-tech sectors with low productivity. The university-SME-municipality model: work together to improve the current situation including low-productivity industry.

University-SME-Municipality Triangle UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS MUNICIPALITY ? operationalstrategic Management competence Methods (SWOT, JAPP etc.) Technology development Market development Long term Municipality procurements Small Business support centre Coordinating mechanism Incubation Short term

Current and future BUNLED activities Joint master program between the Universities of Gotland and Latvia – exchange of teachers, joint student seminars, joint curricula development Dialogue with other universities in Estonia, Poland, NW Russia and Germany towards extended collaboration First Municipality-University seminar scheduled in January 2013 Suggested joint research in addition to teaching collaboration – Productivity and employment in Service sectors – Further research in the University-SME-Municipality Triangle – Develop a research programme with junior/senior researchers and doctoral students – Identify sources for research funding