Interdisciplinary Center of Social Research, Hannover University of Helsinki

1
Competition vs. Cooperation

• Patterns, Perceptions and Problems of RTD in
  European Integration

6cp Crossing borders, 29.10.2003
2
Asymmetrical relationship

• adaptation of rules of the game
• decision-making
• science push and demand pull
• participation in FP formal/effective
• disparities and cohesion

3
Competition

• ERA rationale compete world-wide
• within EU, amongst CEEC
• peer competition in negotiations did speed up
  process
• catching-up as objective
• winners and loosers belong to the game

4
Catching-up

• disparities within EU15 / amongst CEEC / between
  EU-CEEC
• generation and transfer of knowledge
• economic growth through RTD needs absorption
  capabilities
• FP complementary to structural funds skills and
  infrastructure (Sharp 1998)
• laggers-behind lack absorptive capacity
  (Clarysee/Muldur 2001)

5
Performance 1
6
Performance 2
7
Patterns of FP participation

• 17 of FP5-contracts with CEE-partnership
• performance below EU average
• Commission introduced special measures
• peer orientation up to one fourth
• rarely coordinators from CEEC
• entering consortia by invitation

8
Cooperation

• reasons to cooperate
• access to complementarity
• risk sharing and critical mass
• application of results
• recruitment of staff
• strategic and subjective preferences
• incremental definition of common goal
• norm of reciprocity among equals

9
Results 1 choice of partner
10
Results 2 goals
11
Results 3 roles and benefits

• almost 2/3 equal actors
• Lower-Saxony contacts, publications, financing
• CEE-partners financing, knowledge/skills,
  administration, subjective stabilisation and
  recognition

12
Results 4 experiences

• methodological and theoretical level about equal
  - equipment worse
• no difference to EU-15 58
• cooperate again 86
• wished mobility incoming CEEC 78 - outgoing
  CEEC 58

13
Problems on micro-level

• payment, infrastructure, costs
• careers, recognition, disrupted hierarchies
• administrative and managerial experience
• tacit knowledge
• personal and organisational goals

14
Problems on macro-level

• environment of RTD industrial demand
• knowledge- and brain-drain
• GERD hardly rising
• shrinking legitimization for special treatment

15
Conclusions Where to influence?

• objective of researchers is not macro-political
  provide for visibility
• encounters are crucial
• dont forget bilateral cooperation
• be present at Brussels
• excellence-dilemma selected islands of
  excellence