ON BEHALF OF VINNOVA, ITPS (The Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies) carried out a survey in early 2008. The purpose of the survey was to study innovations in the American IT industry, from a federal level to interactions in regional innovation environments. The US development is very interesting and important since the US is world leading in many science and technology areas. What happens in the American IT business affects the rest of the world.
KARIN HOVLIN, ITPS, Los Angeles is particularly paying attention to the open innovation trend.
- The line between corporate and university research is not as clear anymore and collaboration between private and public players is stronger, says Karin Hovlin.
Research departments used to be locked. However, today collaboration and knowledge exchange between companies and universities is open and much more extensive. Close collaboration between market players has resulted in an increased focus on commercialisation. Hopefully, this will make it easier for future innovations to reach the market. The labour exchange between private and public sectors has also increased and university researchers often move on to the business world.
- The academic environment is important in many ways. As partners, as a source for new companies, patents and innovative ideas as well as a recruitment source for highly qualified personnel, says Martin Wikström, project manger at ITPS, Washington D.C.
THERE ARE TWO REGIONAL clusters described in the report; Austin, Texas and the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. They are both a great illustration of interaction between collaborating players.
- In Austin, Texas, the State of Texas, the chambers of commerce and the University of Texas are working together to improve commercialisation from the universities. They also work strategically with attracting digital media companies and investors to Austin, says Karin Hovlin.
The Texas Governor founded an Emerging Technology Fund to support and assist research and innovation on the road to commercialisation.
The Research Triangle Park was developed in North Carolina in the end of the 50’s. The goal was to improve the economy. Today, RTP is one of the largest research parks in the US. The Centennial Campus in North Carolina was founded as a complement to RTP and today there are about 70 companies. The Centennial Campus receives resources from the North Carolina State University and has close collaboration with the university.
THE COMMON DENOMINATOR between Austin and North Carolina attracting many companies and investors, are low taxes, a good standard of living, a good entrepreneurial climate, close collaboration between universities and business, a good infrastructure, top universities and the positive and open mentality.
THE AUTHORS OF THIS report believe Sweden and Europe should learn from the US how to improve and strengthen collaboration between the universities, industry and commerce.
- Universities and companies should interact more and increase personnel exchange between the different segments, says Magnus Härviden, ITPS, Washington D.C.
Emelie Ring