Graham Ashmore Head of European and Cluster Policy

1
Graham AshmoreHead of European and Cluster
Policy
2

CLINIC

• Co-operation Linking Interactive Networks and
  Innovative Clusters
• Best practice in public policy to establish, grow
  and internationalise industrial clusters
• preparation completed design of structure for
  research
• research ¾ completed- desk and 3 study tours
• assembling results ½ completed- draft reports on
  3 regions and some best practice case studies
• dissemination not yet started

3
The Project overall objectives

• Active engagement of the public sector and
  enterprises in transnational knowledge transfer
• Partner region adoption of best practice in
  cluster development and promotion from a European
  and global perspective
• Suggestions for best practice approach
• Development of approaches to developing business
  opportunities through linking clusters
  internationally

4
The CLINIC Partnership

• We have brought together an expert partnership
  which spans leading cluster and network service
  providers and adds the academic rigour of two
  outstanding universities

5
The Partners West Midlands

• Black Country Chamber of Commerce, acting for all
  West Midland Chambers, delivers regional cluster
  programmes for UK Trade and Investment and the
  Regional Development Agency AWM
• Birmingham Business School The University of
  Birmingham. The project group is independently
  recognised as being of International Standing.
  Work of the group has had a particular emphasis
  on the analysis of clusters and networks

6
The Partners Saxony and Tuscany

• RKW Saxony is responsible for the quality
  management of publicly financed SME support
  programmes in Saxony. Over 10 years experience in
  cluster and network formation and management.
  Lead partner in two INTERREG projects
• PIN s.c.r.l. shareholders include University of
  Florence, Municipality of Prato, Chamber of
  Commerce. PIN is an innovatory organisation
  connecting the university to business and other
  aspects of society.

7
Project ManagementA Project Management group
drawn from the partners and chaired by the lead
partner has met four times in Brussels,
Dresden, Prato and Dudleyto plan the delivery of
the project and to review progress
8
The project the study stage

• Broad criteria have been established for the
  evaluation of cluster development
• Materials have been prepared to be used during
  study visits, so that a standard approach is
  adopted and that results can be compared
• Three study visits to the participating regions
  to seek best practice have been undertaken
• A study visit to a region identified as
  demonstrating world best practice in cluster
  formation and development is being planned

9
Expected Results

• 4 new transnational relationships with a cluster
  theme
• Final report on best practice based on
  innovation, regional and global clustering
• New cluster tools

10
Contribution to District Objectives- the project
will identify

• How cluster networks can be improved and enhanced
• How information and knowledge transfer can be
  made more effective regionally and trans
  nationally
• Long lasting regional co-operations
• Potentially significant future innovative policy
  directions
• Trans national relationships through clusters

11
Innovative Features/Success Factors

• Interaction of Players
• Academic and practitioners
• Structured approach
• New ideas for cluster delivery
• More competitive businesses

12
The project Dissemination/Transferability

• Assembling report on best practice
• Workshop in a partner region
• Dissemination to other regions
• Preparation of a blueprint for targeted
  international visits using lessons learnt

13
Proposal for further developmentTo engage with
SMEs to test our blueprint for targeted
international visits
14
Thank you for listening