EUROPE`S MOST EXTENSIVE CLUSTER BENCHMARKING

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1 EUROPE`S MOST EXTENSIVE CLUSTER BENCHMARKING The of May 2011 cluster managers from all over Europe will gather in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss and evaluate cluster cooperation in Europe. PHOTO: Shutterstock Partnerships Creating new exporting adventures for all participants Charlotte Sahl-Madsen Internationalisation Crucial to gain market position and competence development Joanna Podgórska

2 2 Today, Copenhagen receives cluster managers and policy makers from all over Europe, as Denmark s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Charlotte Sahl-Madsen, opens the NGP Cluster Excellence Conference. TANGIBLE COOPERATION THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE The idea behind the NGP Cluster Excellence Project first emerged under the Danish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in We wanted to remove barriers for international research and innovation cooperation. Clusters and innovation networks are among the principal tools for companies in search of new partners, and therefore a vital source of growth. This is why we chose to focus on cluster internationalisation, Sahl-Madsen explains. Shortening the pathway to growth By joining forces, the Nordics, Germany and Poland can shorten their pathway to increased export and productivity. - The NGP Cluster Excellence Project has received strong support from the countries involved. We have managed to gather seven countries in this extraordinary effort to promote innovation and growth, Sahl-Madsen continues. The European Commission has announced that recommendations and analysis from the conference will be used in future cluster initiatives, supporting EU s 2020 strategy and borderless cluster- and network organisations. Partnerships open markets The aim is to create concrete cooperation between clusters and network organisations in Europe. Specific funding has been made available for cooperation established through the project. - We hope to encourage project collaborations between European SMEs, increase knowledge flow across the borders and open new markets through partnerships, thereby creating new export adventures for all, says Charlotte Sahl-Madsen. PÁLL TÓMAS FINNSSON Charlotte Sahl- Madsen, Denmark s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation PHOTO: MARTIN MYDTSKOV RØNNE Establish new relations - stimulate innovation! Nordic Innovation is happy to take part in this vital and innovative event. This is actually the most important Cluster Excellence Conference this year. During these two days the impact of clusters will be discussed and further developed. As a Nordic institution working to stimulate cross border cooperation between businesses and organizations, we are thrilled to see from the results of the benchmarking exercise that more clusters are eager to develop in this field. The benchmark also shows that those who are already facilitating international cooperation have better performances. Nordic Innovation believes that this is crucial for future growth. This is why the NGP cluster conference will be an important step to prepare our region for the future.

3 3 EUROPES BIGGEST CLUSTER EVENT 2011 COPENHAGEN, Øksnehallen, Halmtorvet 11 About the Moderator Quentin Cooper, born 1961 in Grimsby, UK. Described by The Times as both the world s most enthusiastic man and an expert on everything from pop music to astrophysics, by the Daily Mail as someone whose wit and enthusiasm can enliven the dullest of topics, and by the Daily Telegraph as dauntless - well, that s The Telegraph for you - Quentin presents BBC Radio 4 s weekly The Material World, the UK s most listened to science programme and the most accessible, funny and conversational science programme on radio according to the Radio Times. Quentin directs annual international science communication workshops for the British Council as part of the Edinburgh and Manchester Science Festivals, is an adviser or trustee for a growing number of science organisations and events. He also continues to run and presents regular science communication and media skills workshops for such organisations as BBC Training, the Institute of Physics, Channel 4, NERC, NESTA, The Guardian and various universities, and is increasingly in demand for such work overseas. QUESTIONNAIRE Dr. Reinhard Büscher EU Comissioner, Head of Unit, D/2- Support for Industrial Innovation I recommended cluster managers and cluster policy makers to join the Copenhagen event as well as to motivate clusters in all over Europe to become benchmarked. Only those cluster managers can benefit from the European Cluster Manager Club in the future, who have been benchmarked according to the NCGP Excellence approach and who are actively participating in the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. ORGANISERS & CO-SPONSORS Denmark Danish Council of Technology and Innovation Danish Ministry of Science, TEchnology and Innovation Netmatch Reg X EU European Cluster Excellence Initiative European Cluster Managers Club Finland Tekes The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Germany Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Verkehr und Technologie Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie Cluster Offensive Bayern Kompetenznetze Deutschland Iceland Innovation Centre Iceland Rannis The Icelandic Centre for Research Nordic Organisers Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Innovation Norway Innovation Norway The Research Council of Norway FLAT PLAN CONFERENCE STAIR STAIR Poland PARP Polish Agency for Enterprise Development Sweden Tillväxtverket Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth Vinnova ABOUT THE VENUE Work shop Main auditorium Work shop Work shop Speed dating Stands and exhibition Entrance and wardrobe Work shop The event is held in Øksnehallen. The Øksnehallen, as its name denotes, was originally a cattle market, but it has been renovated in recent years to provide one of Copenhagen s most attractive and distinctive exhibition centres, hosting both cultural and corporate events.

4 4 PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO 15 national and regional innovation programmes and 143 cluster managements have been benchmarked in the Nordic-German-Polish Cluster Excellence Project, mapping cluster performance in seven countries. Europe s most extensive cluster benchmarking presented in Copenhagen Dr. Thomas Alslev Christensen Internationalisation a key issue for clusters The Nordic-German-Polish Cluster Excellence Project aims to promote experience exchange and identify best practice examples of how clusters can increase their international collaboration and networking efforts. - Impact assessment shows that enterprises engaged in international collaboration develop more positively with regards to several indicators, such as employment, export and productivity per employee, says Thomas Alslev Christensen, head of department for innovation policy in the Danish ministry of science, technology and innovation. Quality clusters in the Nordics, Germany and Poland The project was initiated as part of the Danish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in We started the project because Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker most countries face the same challenges on how to internationalise clusters and cluster organisations. We knew that there were excellent cluster policies in Germany and Poland and were convinced that all the countries involved would benefit from the collaboration, Christensen explains. To get a comprehensive idea of the cluster environment in the seven countries, two different benchmarking exercises have been conducted, one focusing on cluster management and the other on cluster policy. Comparison improves competence The cluster benchmarking was based on an indicator system already developed by Kompetenznetze Deutschland, a programme that supports around 100 of the best German clusters. The system has been used in Germany for several years, but has now also been applied to clusters in the Nordic countries and in Poland. A total of 143 cluster organisations participated in the benchmarking exercise. - Our benchmarking efforts started in 2009 with some statistical analysis and were later expanded on demand of the cluster managers. They were interested in comparing their service spectrum and management methods to others, both nationally and internationally, says Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker, manager of Kompetenznetze Deutschland. - We therefore set up a system of 35 benchmarking indicators, which analysed all relevant cluster management activities,

5 5 Cluster management service index Low High 1,3 1,2 1,1 1,0 0,9 0,8 0,7 0,7 High R&D orientation Production Private financing rate > 60 % Public funding rate Z60% Highly specialised Micro / Nano /Opto Low impact Impact index High impact ICT More than 50 members Covering a broad techological scope High industrial orientation High impact and high intensity of services offered by cluste managers FIGURE Impact in business of SMEs compared to the intensity of services provided by the cluster management. The higher the intensity of services offered by cluster managers, the higher the impact in business of SMEs Low impact and low intensity of Less than 50 members services offered by cluster managers 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 QUESTIONNAIRE What do you think is most important for the future development of cluster management? Dr. Gerd Meier Zu Köcker It is very important that cluster management is able to set up tailor made and demand oriented services for their cluster members. Cluster management excellence makes a difference. Merete Daniel Nielsen (Net Match) It is very important to focus even more on cluster excellence and cluster management, and to test the results from this conference so that we can go even further to develop the innovative services that clusters provide to companies. including structure, financing, internationalisation and services, says Meier zu Köcker. According to Meier zu Köcker, the results will allow cluster managers to improve their competences through comparison and best practice examples. - We have heard a lot of success stories, where cluster managers and initiatives have provided considerable added value to the companies. Each of the countries operates with interesting features that can be implemented elsewhere, he continues. Internationally recognised policy indicators The indicator set for the cluster policy benchmarking was developed especially for the occasion by the Danish ministry of science, technology and innovation and Kompetenznetze Deutschland. - From my point of view, the most important aspect of the policy benchmarking is that for the first time, seven different countries have agreed on the same indicators. Normally, each country has its own quality indicators, often very policy driven, but now we have an indicator set that is internationally recognised, says Meier zu Köcker. According to Christensen, the benchmarking exercise has provided valuable knowledge on how cluster policies in the A total of 143 clusters participated in the cluster benchmarking exercise. 55 of those are from Germany, 20 from Poland, 67 from the Nordics and one from Austria. The participating clusters come from all types of industries and technology areas. 21 of the clusters work with energy and environment and 19 are from the information and communication sector. 17 are occupied with production and engineering and 14 with micro, nano and optical technologies. The food industry is represented by 11 clusters and health and medical science by 10. Danish clusters tend to be more research driven than clusters in the other countries. Norwegian clusters are among countries can be improved. - This is the first time we compare 15 different national and regional innovation programmes on cluster policies. This has resulted in a lot of new information and recommendations on how cluster policies and cluster performance can be improved, for the benefit of the companies and research institutions. The findings have aroused considerable interest, not only from the Nordics, Germany and Poland, but also from other countries, says Christensen. SELECTED STATISTICS - CLUSTER BENCHMARKING PÁLL TÓMAS FINNSSON the most specialised in the project. There is a large variation in cluster structure, governance and results between technology fields. Research driven clusters are more similar to industry driven clusters than widely believed. All data was gathered through faceto-face interviews. 35 comparison indicators were used to measure cluster performance. The Management Agency of Kompetenznetze Deutschland (VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH) conducted the benchmarking exercise, supported by local interviewers in each country. Results will be presented in further detail at the NGP Cluster Excellence Conference. Thomas Lämmer Gamp The most important thing is the professional and personal skills of the cluster management; this needs to be supported. It is about capacity development, not about funding office infrastructure. Ewa Andersson It is important that the cluster managers have good tools for measuring the results and effects so they may give an accurate account of their clusters. One wants to see actual results in the businesses that are involved. Also it is very important that cluster management have access to tailor made development solutions and at the same time that they may connect and develop together with other cluster managers on an international level, and even cooperate on joint programs.

6 6 PHOTO: NORDEN.ORG ENGINEERING THE FIRST HANDSHAKE Internationalisation is an important issue on the European cluster agenda. Sharing knowledge and creating international meeting places for clusters can lead to new, joint innovation projects - across borders and sectors. Internationalisation is all about creating contacts Access to bigger customers and markets, expanded partner networks and increased innovation are some of the main advantages of international cluster cooperation. - The internationalisation follows the same methodology as our activities on a local or regional level. Clusters are networks, and all collaboration starts with the first meeting or the first handshake. Our task is to engineer this handshake, says Dr. Peter Haider, managing director at Chemie-Cluster Bayern. Market knowledge and new relations For Robert Stabl from the Bavarian ICT cluster BICCnet, the main objective is not to internationalise the cluster itself, but to assist the companies in expanding their international activities. - We want to support the companies in building an internationalisation strategy. If you are to succeed, you have to have specific knowledge about key players in the markets, the way business is done and laws and regulations. Establishing contacts to other clusters can provide this Dr. Robert Stabl knowledge, he explains. Stabl adds that the Nordics, Germany and Poland complement each other well, both geographically and culturally. - Germany has good connections to the South, Poland towards the East and the Nordics have a strong relationship internally and with the UK. It is very valuable to combine these relations and share our experience and knowledge, Stabl says. The objective is to foster innovation According to Haider, it is of great economic importance to keep matching companies with new collaborators and solutions across the European borders. - If you look at what a good cluster is in terms of output, my answer would clearly be that the output should be innovations, innovations and innovations. The production of commodities has shifted to other areas and if we want to maintain our position as one of the wealthiest regions in the world, it is important that we stay innovative, says Haider. Adoptable strategies and best practices The NGP Cluster Excellence Conference aims to bring clusters together to share knowledge on their strategies and activities. - We can establish direct contact to other valuable players in the market, see how they are performing and adopt and adjust successful structures and strategies. It is a self-educating process for cluster managers, says Robert Stabl. - The conference is the perfect opportunity to engineer the first handshake as a basis for international cooperation projects on innovation, Peter Haider concludes. PÁLL TÓMAS FINNSSON

7 7 QUESTIONNAIRE Internationalisation is essential in the global market What do you think is most important for the future development of cluster management? Dr. Thomas Alslev Christensen The NGP Cluster Excellence Conference gathers cluster managers and cluster policy makers from all over Europe, discussing how clusters can be supported in their internationalisation efforts. Clusters must provide clear benefits Dr.Rolf Bommer from the Bavarian Ministry of Economics manages Cluster Offensive Bayern, a programme counting 19 clusters and over 5000 companies. - A good cluster project is one that clearly demonstrates the benefit for the companies and does something they could not have achieved alone. Secondly, its method ought to be transferable to other projects. It is very much a matter of best practice, Bommer explains. Surveys show that over 60% of the companies in Cluster Offensive Bayern have established new contacts through the clusters, and a third of them state that cluster participation has directly improved their market position. - This shows that clustering can offer enormous benefits to the companies, says Bommer. Benchmarking reveals common challenges Before entering into the collaboration with Germany and the Nordics, Poland conducted a national benchmarking of Polish cluster development, registering 47 clusters and a Joanna Podgórska Dr. Rolf Bommer large number of cluster initiatives. - The benchmarking shows us that we face common problems and challenges, even though the countries have different approaches and rules within their programmes, says Joanna Podgórska, representing the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. Common indicators for reliable evaluation For Rolf Bommer, the development of common benchmarking indicators to measure and compare cluster performance is among the most valuable results from the Nordic- German-Polish Cluster Excellence Project. - It is important that we find indicators that accurately measure the effects of the clusters and allow for reliable evaluation of the approaches and methods used in the different countries, he says. Bommer identifies financing models and the mixture of public and private funding of clusters as an area where comparison will be particularly useful. - For us, it is interesting to look at best practice examples of cluster financing and of helping the clusters to acquire private money and thereby reduce the need for public funding, Bommer says. Internationalisation increases knowledge and improves services Podgórska and Bommer agree that internationalisation of clusters is a main priority when it comes to market position and competence development. - Internationalisation is important because the competition is not local, regional or even national, it is global. The participation in the NGP Cluster Excellence Project allows us to improve our assessment of cluster performance, increase our knowledge about their conditions and prepare better programmes and projects for them in the future, says Podgórska. Clusters should deliver more diversified services for SMEs. Dr. Anette Rückert It is important to improve the work of cluster managers and make them more competent and customer oriented. Elvar Knútr Vaisson Professional process support and relevant evaluation methods are very important for the future development of cluster management. Joanna Podgórska It is important to develop innovation competence and innovation skills, especially in the case of leadership of clusters; to ensure that the cluster resources are managed in a professional way. PÁLL TÓMAS FINNSSON PHOTO: TIAN WAHLMAN

8 NGP CLUSTER EXCELLENCE CONFERENCE 2011 Program Day 1 26 May :30 09:30 Registration Plenary session: Official opening The impact of cluster excellence on industry Break Plenary sessions: NGP Excellence: Key results from the cluster benchmark NGP Cluster Excellence Prize Lunch Plenary session: The European Commission s future world-class clusters strategy - possible future scenario for the follow-up of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative Parallel sessions: 1. Seminar I for policy makers 2. Speed dating for cluster managers Parallel sessions: 1. Workshops for policy makers 2. Workshops for cluster managers Break Innovative light and sound performance Official conference dinner Day 2 Friday, 27 May Welcome to day 2 (Plenary) Parallel sessions: 1. Seminar II for policy makers: The Copenhagen Cluster Declaration 2. Workshops for cluster managers Break Plenary session: Zentropa - How to win an Oscar Closing of the conference Lunch and networking in the Exhibition Hall EVENT ORGANISERS CO-SPONSORS