6.Tadeja.Leskovsek

7/27/2019 6.Tadeja.Leskovsek

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Regional Development and Governance Symposium

Innovation Enhancement

in Slovenian Regions

Tadeja Colnar Leskovek

Anteja ECG

Izmir, 26October 2007


2/10

What does it take for region to becomeinnovative?

Infrastructure conductive to Innovation

Educationsystem

Competition

Protection ofintelectual and

industrial property

Taxation

Legal and regulatoryenvironment

Administrativesimplification

DIVERSITY

NEW

INTER-

ACTIONS

SHARING

role

models

Conditions for

Innovation

Fostering

INNOVATION

CONCEPTS

CONSENSUS

BUILDING

LEADERSHIP

INNOVATIVE

REGIONS

vision

strategy

action

convergentdivergent


3/10

Cluster program forinnovation enhancement

Its overall success and its significant

experience make Slovenia the prime

candidate from which to learn about thesuccess drivers of cluster initiatives.

Its overall success and its significant

experience make Slovenia the prime

candidate from which to learn about thesuccess drivers of cluster initiatives.

The most prominent example is Slovenia,a country that has received much

attention for its cluster program and the

role clusters played in the impressive

performance of the Slovenian economy.

Slovenia is amongst the front runners of cluster

development in Europe

In Slovenia for instance, clusters are an

integrated tool of investment and innovation

policy, started in 1999.


4/10

Cluster program was part of proactiveindustrial policy

Improving enterprises

competitive capacity(4 measures)

Innovative environment

Internationalization

of SME

Increasing

productivity

Investment in

technologicaldevelopment

Networking and

clusterdevelopment


5/10

starting with mapping

Linking and networking was relatively weak.

Geographical (regional) dimension was not clear -dispersed throughout Slovenia.

Infrastructure which could support clusterdevelopment was only emerging.

Existing co-operations and flows could represent abasis for at least nine potential clusters.

Which cluster isstrategic for Slovenia?

How to developclusters?

which indicated:


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... followed by measures to respond toidentified needs.

Measures aiming at

Promoting cooperation and

networking between

companies and between

companies and R&D

institutions

Developing clusters in practice

Pilot Projects

Objectives: To gain experiences and

develop knowledge

To strengthen linkages along

supply chains

To strengthen linkagesbetween R&D and business

To promote cluster concept

From supporting strategic clusters toa set of horizontal policy measures


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Results achieved from 2001 to 2004were encouraging

17 clusters - networking of more than 300 enterprises(57.000 employees) and 40 support institutions,

4 technological networks - networking of 43 enterprises(30.000 employees) and 15 support institutions,

29 technology centers - co-operating of 240 enterprises,

53 enterprises (22.700 employees) introducing the systemfor continuous improvement in production, processes andtechnology.


8/10

Key success factors -Clear roles and competencies

Ministry of Economyacted ascatalyst of the clustering process

Providing co-financing of start-

up costs (40%) of clusterinitiatives (management,

projects)

Analysis

Facilitation

Training

International networking


9/10

Key success factors -Balanced Top Down And Bottom Up Process

Bottom-up process:

Measures not replacing market mechanism.

Decisions about areas (industries) of cluster development,

organizational and managerial issues are domain of participating

actors (firms and institutions).

No Constrains, no strict Rules, no guided Strategies.

Initiative and responsibility for success of business and clustering

remain domain of managers, employees and individuals.


10/10

Major challenge in implementingcluster policy

how to create trusting environment

Public policy cannot be developed in the absence of strong public

private partnership, which in return, can not be developed without

the culture of trust.

Trust is needed between partners, between employers and

employees between boards and shareholders, and between state

and citizens.

Documents

6.Tadeja.Leskovsek