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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION POLICY AND STRATEGY IN EUROPEAN REGIONS: THE CASE OF PELOPONNESE. Thanos Kriemadis , Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A. Associate Professor University of Peloponnese, Greece University of Athens, Greece Quality Assessor of European Quality Award. INNOVATION POLICY IN EUROPE.
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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION POLICY AND STRATEGY IN EUROPEAN REGIONS: THE CASE OF PELOPONNESE Thanos Kriemadis, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A. Associate Professor University of Peloponnese, Greece University of Athens, Greece Quality Assessor of European Quality Award
INNOVATION POLICY IN EUROPE • The Lisbon European Council of March 2000 set the objective of making Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by the year 2010. • The European Commission established a Competitiveness ad Innovation framework Program (CIP) for the period 2007-20013 which is meant to become the main legal basis grouping all Community actions in the field of innovation and competitiveness.
THE PROPOSED COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION PROGRAM 2007-2013 • The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, particularly focused on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). • The ICT Policy Support Program, to support the adoption of ICTs in business, administrations and public sector services. • The Intelligent Energy Europe Program. • The final budget for the CIP is 3.62 billion €. • Expected Results: to boosting European productivity, innovation capacity, entrepreneurial initiative, partnerships, sustainable growth, while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns (eco-innovation).
WHAT IS INNOVATION ? • Exploiting market opportunities, servicing new target markets. • New products / services offered. • New business processes (Reengineering) which reduce SME’s operational costs. • Willingness to take risks and test new ideas on the market. Availability of risk capital. • Insufficient innovation is a major cause of Europe’s disappointing growth performance. • The CIP will promote awareness of innovation and disseminate good innovation practices.
REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAMFOR THE PELOPONNESE (RIPE) • PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: To familiarize local authorities, SMEs and citizens with the benefits of using innovative practices. • RIPE develops pilot actionsin selected sectors of the economy(budget: 2.565.000 €)in which the Peloponnese region has competitive advantages such as eco-tourism, SMEs, and traditional products. • DIFFICULTIES: (a) creating several team of experts with authority and understanding, (b) reaching consensus in decision making, (c) coordination of different participating organizations, (d) insufficient use of technology...
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 1 : REGIONAL INNOVATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN Research and studies for the RIPE Program such as: • Analysis of the regional production system. • Identification of the technological and industry trends in selected sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism and services. • Recording and analysis of business needs regarding innovation and technology. • Analysis of SME’s needs for financing innovation and technology development.
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 2 : REGIONAL ECO-TOURISM CENTER • OBJECTIVE: Putting the region of Peloponnese in the map of eco-tourism destinations preferred in the European Union. Eco-tourism is defined as tourism where the main attraction for tourists is the physical and cultural environment of the destination. • The Eco-tourism support center: provides information and consulting to the region’s tourism industry and to individual tourists. • A travel manual developed targeted to tour operators and tourism agencies promoting the region as an eco-tourism European destination. • Developed database on (a) available accommodation in the region, (b) natural environmental resources, (c) supplementary services and activities such as rafting, extreme sports, etc.
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 3 : VIRTUAL INCUBATOR FACILITY • PURPOSE: to foster modernization and increase the competitiveness of SMEs in the region by providing on-site business consulting and remote support using telematics. Developing the Business Plan of SMEs and advising how to implement it. • 40 SMEs were selected to participate in this pilot program. • A non-profit Development Corporation was established, (named Agapinor) along with the Virtual Incubator Facility, an Entrepreneurial Support Center within the Industrial Park.
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 4 : TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION • OBJECTIVE: to promote branded top-quality local food and craft products and support business synergies and cooperation in the marketing process. • 15 SMEs were selected (olive oil, wine, dried fruits, feta cheese, etc.). • The SMEs were supported in order to: (a) prepare a business plan for manufacturing and marketing their products, (b) jointly develop new methods of marketing and promoting their products, and (c) finance the implementation of their business plan (advertising, quality assurance, distribution, etc.).
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 5 : INFORMATION SOCIETY FOR RURAL AREAS • OBJECTIVE: To offer the advantages of Information Technology to the citizens of remote areas in the region, by establishing ICT services through Telecottage Centers based on the Telecottage model which is particularly widespread in the northern European countries. • The 2 Telecottage Centers offer the following services: - Training in information technology. - Telematic transactions with the public authorities of the region. - Free use of all citizens for self-training and educational purposes. - Thematic computer-based training on issues of special local interest.
RIPE’s PILOT ACTIONS ACTION 6 : REGIONAL INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM • OBJECTIVE: to stregthen transparency, and accountability in the development procedures within the region. The Integrated Information System provides access to information regarding regional development strategy, programs, funds, and socio-economic performance evaluation of the region. • The data collected will be accessible through an Internet base to all citizens, public organizations and SMEs.
RIPE’s SUPPORT ACTIONS NETWORKING, DISSEMINATION AND EVALUATION • NETWORKING: to establish permanent linkages between the RIPE Program and other regions and organizations both in Greece and European Union that are active in the field of innovation in relation to regional and local development. • DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS: to diffuse the results of the RIPE Program and especially the concept of innovation to public organizations and SMEs and to promote the concept as a constituent tool for regional development. Also, to raise their awareness about the significance of innovation and to motivate them to exploit the opportunities offered through the program. • EVALUATION OF THE RIPE PROGRAM: Ongoing evaluation of all pilot actions and external evaluation by the University of Galway, Ireland.