1. Sustainable Futures FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY Meirion Thomas Cardiff Business School & CMInno Group In collaboration with Yannis Pierrakis Cardiff Business School

2. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 2 The structure of the presentation  Benefits and limitations of RIS, RITTS, RTP  Reasons behind these limitations  The need for a new trajectory/a “step change”  Building in the concepts of foresight and sustainability  Basis for a new approach to a sustainable future  Innovation Action Programme in Wales

3. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 3 RIS, RITTS & RTP have provided impressive benefits for regional innovation policy  Promoted a “faster speed” towards closing the disparity gap.  Strong impact on the institutional relationship within the regions  Introduced innovative behaviour and thinking  Promoted partnership and consensus building

4. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 4 But there are drawbacks in their effectiveness Main problem: - focus on “incremental” innovation: “Innovation that is being continually carried out through sometimes small changes in the products, processes and management practice, that are being used by the SME sector or through the adoption or adaptation of technologies that already exist in other sector, firms” Usherian model of innovation

5. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 5 Why RIS, RITTS & RTP have focused on Incremental Innovation?  Emphasis on needs of SMEs  Implementation through existing SPD’s  Limited visioning and Foresight exercises  Regional autonomy  Expense

6. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 6 Focus on incremental innovation leads to incremental innovation policy RIS RITTS RTP RIS RITTS RTP GOVERNMENT SMEs REGIONAL POLICY REGIONAL POLICY LARGE BUSINESS LARGE BUSINESS INCREMENTAL UNIVERSITIES

7. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 7 Evaluations of RIS, RITTS & RTP  Little has been achieved in supporting “Strategic” Innovation.  Limited attention has been paid to the development of “breakthrough” innovation and technologies.

8. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 8 Creating a “Step-Change” There is need for both:  A new approach to the innovative initiatives  A methodology by which technological “breakthroughs” might be initiated and managed It is essential that future policies or programmes are capable of being sustained within the region

9. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 9 EC Innovative Actions programme 2001 “The regions must find innovative solutions which guarantee sustainable development and the enhancement of regional identities – the factors which from the basis of regional, human and physical capital”. (European Commission 2001)

10. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 10 Changing the concept of Sustainability  Environment  Society  Economy The concept of the “Triple Bottom Line”

11. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 11 Future approaches should:  Use the consensus of the current RIS, RITTS and RTP initiatives, in order to  Embrace a more foresight concept for generating sustainable growth

12. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 12 Foresight “A systematic, participatory future intelligence gathering and medium- to-long term vision building process aimed at present-day decisions and mobilising joint action” (FOREN 2001)

13. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 13 Regional foresight and Sustainability  Foresight requires consensus and trust networks that can establish and sustain strategic innovation policies and choices.  Matching foresight approaches with RIS,RITTS & RTP experiences to create the consensus and engagement required for strategic and sustainable regional innovation policies.

14. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 14 Creating a strategic & sustainable regional policy REGIONAL FORESIGHT RIS, RITTS & RTP REGIONAL FORESIGHT RIS, RITTS & RTP GOVERNMENT SMEs REGIONAL INNOVATION POLICY REGIONAL INNOVATION POLICY LARGE BUSINESS LARGE BUSINESS STRATEGIC SUSTAINABL E UNIVERSITIES

15. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 15 Operationalising these concepts  Wales has secured EU support for an Innovative Actions programme - “Towards a Sustainable based Region”.  One of the four complementary “Strands” within this programme is “Future Technology for a Sustainable Economy”

16. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 16 Aims of the Future Technology Programme  To develop and test strategic approach that allows Wales to assess the key technologies required in order to develop in a sustainable manner.  To interact with companies, researchers and the public on the opportunities required to ensure Wales obtains a sustainable position in selected new technologies and innovation

17. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 17 The programme goes further than a traditional foresight exercise  It builds on a successful RTP process and long lasting consensus  It focuses on a small group of technologies that are key to a number of sectors relevant to Wales  It combines prospective analysis with implementation and dissemination  It links the sustainable future of the economy in Wales to key beneficiaries

18. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 18 Beneficiaries of Programme  The programme will balance learning with doing and dissemination activities  Build on “bottom up” consultative approach  Beneficiaries include:  SMEs & large businesses  Universities & Researchers  Policy Makers  Public

19. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 19 Scope of Delivery  Range from:  Desk based data gathering  Commissioned studies  In-depth interactions with industry  Involvement of industry experts

20. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 20 Running in parallel with:  A series of learning and dissemination activities including:  Technology Clinics  Debates  Technology Symposia  Web site  Future Technologies Exhibitions

21. 16 May 2002 Observatory for a Sustainable Knowledge based Region 21 Conclusion  RIS, RITTS and RTP have had major impacts in Regional Development but have not encouraged Strategic Innovation  A Sustainable Regional Policy approach is now required  Building Regional Foresight into RIS, RITTS and RTP projects is a way forward  The Wales Innovation Actions Programme is an experiment to test this approach

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