Mail view

Subject:

TCI News letter May 2003

Category:

TCI newsletter

From:

The Competitiveness Institute <bdoesborg[nospamplease]@competitiveness.org>

[1.] A word from the president

This newsletter provides an update on the forthcoming conference in
Gothenburg, Sweden, and the recently upgraded TCI website. The TCI board
has just met in Gothenburg, and over two days took stock on TCI's evolution
since our founding in 1997, the changing environment in which we are
currently operating, and future steps. Present were Emiliano Duch (from
Barecelona); Lars Eklund (Stockholm); Mike Enright (Honk Knog); Alec Hansen
(from San Fansisco, representing Bob Breault); Frederic Richard (Vienna);
Elisabeth Rocha (from Paris); and myself from New Zealot. The Chair of our
Board of Advisors, Antoni Subira, was also present, along with a number of
the Swedish team organizing the conference.

Arrangements are well in hand for the conference, and the updated programme
will be on the web site shortly. Our new web site was given a test, and as
part of the upgrade three initial Discussion Forums for TCI members are
being introduced (details are included in this newsletter.) If you would
like to see other forums established, please contact Ciara Howie direct
chowie@competitiveness.org

I trust that 17-19 September is already blocked out in your diary for
Gothenburg. See you there!

Regards,
Ifor Ffowcs-Williams
President@competitiveness.org

==============================================
[2.] Member news America

*** Geography of human resources so important, says US expert ***

US cluster expert, and TCI Member, Stu Rosenfeld (rosenfeld@rtsinc.org) has
forwarded a draft of white paper prepared for the presidents of 10 state
community college systems. Summary follows:

Industry clusters have become the new mantra for economic development
policy. But recently practitioners have learned that clustering is first
and foremost influenced by talent - by concentrations of experienced and
skilled labour, by the availability of the customized and specialized
education and training - that produces and upgrades skills and knowledge.
The key to the success of almost every cluster is a labour force with the
appropriate skills for, and knowledge of, the industries located within the
cluster. Industry needs the "commodity skills" that are easily
transferable - but also wants industry specific skills, which are scarcer.

The geography of human resources is so important because other key
resources (technology, capital) unlike skilled human capital, can be
transferred instantly. Nothing is more important to clusters than the
development of their human resources, and in no area are they more
dependent on the state, which is the biggest single investor in education
and training. Equally important, clusters are important to students and
workers. More employers clustered in a region translate into more
employment, advancement, and learning opportunities; and clusters form the
basis for building effective career ladders.
Most educational institutions have inadequately recognized the specialized
needs of their regions' clustered industries...it is primarily the regional
two- and four- year technical institutions that are best able to focus on
and respond to regional economies. Over the past 15 years, community and
technical colleges have done an excellent job of responding to the needs of
SMEs - but most colleges have not yet discovered the value to their economy
of becoming a particular cluster's center of excellence, or figured out how
to develop the specialized expertise needed by specific types of firms.

*** Clusters to help strengthen Nicaraguan economy ***

Nicaragua and the IMF have released an 80 page document outlining the
necessary steps for Nicaragua to build a strong economy. This strategy
addresses many systemic issues, including corruption, education, and fiscal
reforms. Contained within this document is the clear intention of the
government to utilize a cluster development strategy. To facilitate this
process, Nicaragua plans to create developmental zones that will encourage
the population to migrate to these areas and relieve the stress from areas
that have little or no potential for growth. This report identifies seven
clusters that show potential for development: "(a) textiles and clothing
manufacture; (b) agribusiness and food processing; (c) agro-industry of
meat and dairy products; (d) reforestation and wood products; (f) fishing
and fish and shrimp farming; (g) tourism; and (h) energy."
TCI Member Alec Hansen is in Nicaragua as this newsletter goes to press ?
we will look for an update next month.

To read more on this issue use the following link:
http://www.imf.org/External/NP/prsp/2002/nic/01/

==============================================
[3.] Asia/Pacific

*** New Creative Elites Prefer Big City Vibe ***
Australia's 2002 'Creativity Index' provides a new tool to evaluate a
city's potential for economic and cluster development. This report has
ranked Australia's cities using a creativity index developed by U.S. Prof.
Richard Florida and compared the results to those of U.S. cities. This
index "measures an area's share of technological innovation, its diversity
of populations, education levels and share of creative professionals." The
information will be useful for regions that are looking to develop
successful clusters in high-tech industries that depend on high levels of
education and creativity.
Read more on: "2002 State of the Regions Report"
http://www.alga.asn.au/policy/regional/2002sor.php
(This link also contains an order form to purchase the full report.)

*** Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) ***

Much attention continues to be focused on Malaysia after the currency
crisis, as it continues to rebuild its economy. Malaysia has a
comprehensive strategy in place that may help ease the concerns over future
investment and continue high-tech economic growth. This strategy is
structured around its seven flagship applications: (1) Electronic
Government; (2) Multipurpose Card; (3) Smart Schools; (4) Telehealth; (5)
R&D Clusters; (6) E-Business; (7) Technopreneur Development. Each one of
these areas has clear objectives that aim to create a multimedia super
corridor. When a company, interested in investing in Malaysia passes the
defined criteria, they are awarded what is called MSC status. This
recognition comes complete with many financial incentives (including tax
exempt status for five years). International companies like Intec Telecom
Systems
(http://www.intec-telecom-systems.com/its/pressroom/pressreleases/pr2000/20
00-02-02/), Sun Microsystems, Oracle and Lucent have achieved MSC status.

To learn more about the Malaysian multimedia super corridor and criteria
for obtaining MSC status visit: http://www.mdc.com.my/

==============================================
[3.] Europe/Middle East/ Africa

*** Copenhagen - cluster policy conference, 10 June ***

The aims are to disseminate lessons & best practice in enterprise policy,
and provide input to a more efficient approach to competitiveness policy.
Three parallel workshops on regional, national and international policies -
concrete examples, results and evaluations of good and bad practice.
Information & registration at www.ebst.dk/cluster or at Bjarne E. Jensen,
Oxford Research: bej@oxfordresearch.dk.

*** Copenhagen: Analysing Cluster Potential ***

Analysing regional clusters is a delicate business, which requires a
balance of qualitative and quantitative methods and data.
Analysing potential future clusters is even more challenging. However that
is exactly what was accomplished in a recent report by the Greater
Copenhagen Development Council. There is a very clear understanding around
the Danish capital region of the importance of clusters in tourism, life
sciences and IT. What is becoming ever clearer is that these
'mega-clusters' are too broad. For example: parts of the IT industry will
probably decline, while other IT-sectors may grow rapidly. For policy
makers to be able to develop appropriate support regarding regional
competitiveness, they must understand which clusters are most likely to
drive future growth. The key question answered in the report was: What
clusters are likely to be competitive and generate jobs 10-15 years from
now?
The report identified potential clusters and analysed performance and
growth potential for 18 potential clusters in this region. Seven were then
benchmarked by comparing them with 21world-leading clusters in England,
France, Germany, the United States, Canada and Australia. The analysis
clearly showed that, especially in technology intensive areas such as
nanotechnology, optics and bioinformatics, the region has great potential
and possesses strong emerging clusters. The level of research and skilled,
specialised labour is particularly strong. The report also noted that
access to capital is weak and the region therefore faces the very real
danger that it will not be able to use its strengths to create a large
number of jobs in the region itself. Based on these conclusions,
discussions are currently taking place which to establish support for
policies to further develop these emerging clusters. (Contributed by TCI
Member Bjarne E. Jensen: bej@oxfordresearch.dk)

*** Participate in the global cluster initiative survey! ***

Professor �rjan S�lvell is preparing a green book on cluster initiatives
for the forthcoming TCI Global Conference. One of the sources will be a
major international survey focusing on cluster initiatives (rather than the
clusters themselves). Researchers would like your help to identify as many
cluster initiatives as possible. All TCI members are welcome to suggest
cluster initiatives to be included in the survey. Please send the following
details:
- name of the cluster initiative
- country/region of the cluster
- name of contact person
- e-mail of contact person
- web site of the cluster initiative (if any)
Please send contributions to the project manager, G�ran Lindqvist:
survey@cluster-research.org.

*** Jordan Expects $1 billion in Pharmaceuticals by 2010 ***

Jordan's dedication to developing a strong cluster driven policy to develop
its pharmaceutical industry is beginning to pay dividends and government
experts expect that it will quadruple over the next 8 years - reaching one
billion by 2010. http://www.jordanembassyus.org/09252002003.htm
The core of Jordan's cluster consists of: 16 Pharmaceutical companies; 8
pharmaceutical colleges, and a bioequivalence research center.

*** Jordan's Medical Services Cluster ***

The U.S. Agency for International Development recently released its AMIR
(Achievements of Market-Friendly Initiatives Results Program) report on
Jordan's Medical Services Cluster. The report reviews Jordan's medical
industry, its competitive advantage within the region, and opportunities
for the medical tourism cluster. "Anderson Consulting estimated, that in
the past four years, Jordan hosted between 27,000 and 32,000 patients
annually, with average expenditures per patient totaling USD 5,500." To
read the complete report see:
http://www.amir-jordan.org/pdf/del2/512%20Final%20Report.pdf

==============================================
[4.] TCI news

*** TCI 6th annual conference - Gothenburg 17-19 September ***

Please see the new TCI webpage for a full list of speakers and more
information about the Conference: http://www.competitiveness.org

*** Launch of New Website ***

Boris Doesborg at TCI Barcelona has been working hard over recent weeks
to finish the new website. We now invite you to enter and have a look at
the result: http://www.competitiveness.org.

The new web site offers members better services and more interaction.
The website allows us to publish more news, more often. So members are
better informed about what is going on in the world of cluster
development. Some news articles will be commentable so readers can
contribute their comments. Furthermore discussion forums are being
created so members and non-members are able to exchange opinions.

Later on, more services will be added. The upgrade to our web site has
been made possible through the financial support that TCI receives from
the Government of Catalonia.

We hope that you enjoy the new http://www.competitiveness.org.

*** New members ***

From Germany: Holger Schiele has a Degree on Clusters from Maastricht University. His PhD
investigated Innovative Clusters as he also worked as a consultant for a
Leading German conglomerate. After finishing with another international
consulting company he left in order to begin work on his thesis. When this
is completed he will become university professor in Germany. He currently
works at H&Z Company temporarily whilst finishing his thesis.

From Australia: Richard Walker, Executive Director of Macquarie Research Ltd, was a
Project Officer with the NSW Science & Technology Council from 1986 to 1988
which advised the NSW Government on industrial and technology issues. From
1988 he managed the commercial technology transfer activities of two
Australian universities; UNSW since 1994 & Macquarie University form 1994
to present. At Macquarie he was Executive Director of the commercial
technology transfer company.
He has managed directly two Commonwealth Government funded large technology
diffusion activities, and have been member of the Sutherland Shire Economic
Development Committee of the Sutherland Shire Council.

From Italy: Giuseppe D'Agostino is senior partner and founder of STEP Economics, an
economics consultancy based in Turin, Italy. As consultant he has dealt
with the various aspects of regional competitiveness; technology transfer,
transport systems, human resources. STEP has undertaken a study on Regional
Innovation Systems as part of the Community Innovation Survey II. Giuseppe
is currently advising the Lombardy region on cluster policies.

From the UK: Christopher J. Aylett, Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)
The Motorsport Industry Association was founded in 1994, and aims to
promote, protect and provide a voice for the motorsport and performance
engineering sector in the UK to Government, in the absence of any such
existing organisation. It strives to secure long-term, competitive business
advantage for members, and a strong, viable future for the entire industry.

TCI has already begun introducing some of the members who joined at the
Cairns conference last year. Some of these members have already sent
information about themselves and how they are benefiting from TCI. If you
have not yet sent your information please do so soon!

==============================================
[5.] Related events

*** IEDC CONFERENCE- Montreal June 4th -6th ***

For the first time, IEDC will bring together global partners and
competitors to document who has been successful in the global economic
development arena, and why. Co- sponsored by Montreal International and
OECD this conference will provide practitioners with the critical knowledge
needed for operating in today's global business environment.
Noted experts from around the world will participate in plenary sessions
providing up to date regional perspectives on Europe and the European
Union, North America and NAFTA, and the Pacific Rim.
Concurrent sessions will present expert knowledge on a variety of topics
including:
- Financing Global Development
- Visitor Attraction
- Workforce in the International Workplace
- Attracting International Investment to your community
- The International Site Selection Process

*** OECD conference on regional development Brindisi, Italy 2-5 July ***

The conference will raise various development issues with the main theme
being: 'Role of social capital in promoting competitiveness in Less
Favoured Regions'. Speakers include: friends Sergio Arzeni, Stu Rosenfeld,
Phil Cooke, Mikel Landabaso, Kevin Morgan, Mario Pezzini, and others. It is
due to take place on the above dates at the Grand Hotel Masseria Santa
Lucia Ostuni.

*** Third BREAD Conference on Development Economics Washington, DC ***

The Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD) will
host its autumn conference in Washington, DC on September 19-20, 2003. They
invite papers for the conference. The deadline for submissions is July 15,
2003. see: http://www.cid.harvard.edu/bread/conferences.htm

==============================================
[6.] Related Publications

*** The Welsh Assembly Government's Action Plan for Innovation ***

This recently published report discusses the potential impact of clusters
on the Welsh economy and lists the innovation agenda for the next few years
http://www.wales.gov.uk/subitradeindustry/content/action-e.pdf

*** Cluster policy and industry targeting: good or bad? ***

The Economic Development Futures website contains articles on contemporary
economic issues that could have direct implications on regional clusters
and cluster policy

One of their recent articles, "State Government's Role in Economic
Development," by Donald Iannone analyses an article published by the
Mackinac Policy Center in Michigan. His analysis raises questions
concerning the efficacy of incentives, targeting industries and industry
clusters and a host of other practices widely used across the U.S.

Interested readers should visit: http://www.ed-futures.blogspot.com/

TCI supporting organizations

more...

Site search

Forums

Latest messages: