E-commerce and regional innovation policies:The case of RPIA-NRW

Michael GuthSen. Consultant and Project Manager

ZENIT GmbHPhone: ++49-208-30004-56

Mail: mg@zenit.de

VERITE Conference

The changing role of supply chains in regional development

Cardiff, February 20-21, 2003

Regional Programme with Innovative Actions in NRW

RPIA - NRW: Background

• Legal Framework: Art. 4 of ERDF regulation (innovative measures)

• New approach of the Commission regional economic development based on technological innovation Information society serving regional development regional indentity and sustainable development

• Whole territory of EU is eligible for funding (150 regions)

• Funding: 50 % - 80%; 0,3 – 3,0 Mio. EUR ERDF contribution

• Further information http://europa.eu.int/regionalpolicy/innovation/index_en.htm

RPIA - NRW: The policy approach

• Planning and testing new opportunities for the use of information society for regional development

• Stimulating the use of ICTs both in the public and in the private sector

• Mobilising more momentum by influencing mainstream programmes

RPIA: Two elements

ZENIT: Technical assistance organisation

Internet-strategies

for SMEs

Action 2

Objective:- Raise awareness for a

strategic use of the Internet by SMEs

- Implementation of innovative internet orientated strategies with/in SMEs

Obj. 2 areas only

E-regional development

plans (e-RDPs)

Action 1

Objective:-Developing and implementing local/regional strategies and plans for the integration of Info. Soc. into regional development (RISI)

Total territority of NRW

Public resources per action: 2 Mio. €

Financing: 50% ERDF + 50% NRW

Period: 01.01.2002 – 31.12.2004 (31.07.2005)

www.innovationsprogramm-nrw.de

RPIA NRW

RPIA - NRW: administrative/financial details

• Micro level: e-commerce activities do not only concern POS; all (firm) parts of the intra-firm value chain have to contribute to

a successful e-commerce approach (hence strategic use of ICTs - mainly internet - is key for success).

• Meso level: Regional development strategies in NRW focus on (in between) cluster building. Internet elements in policy

approaches focussing on networks/clusters are half-way to B2B e-commerce activities in regional supply chains.

• Macro level: Cluster approach is a new guideline for regionalised (policy) innovation policy in NRW. Government intends to

reduce digital divide. Both micro and meso level are in the RPIA‘s focus.

E-commerce dimension

RPIA NRW

RPIA NRW

RPIA NRW: Quantitative Results

eRDP

Expr. of interest: 29

Official proposals: 15

Funding request: 2.5 Mio. EUR

Internet SME

Official proposals: 28

Selected: 9

Funding request: 1.8 Mio. EUR

RPIA NRW

Examples of selected projects 1/2

e-RDP

• Online application and approval of heavy weight lorry traffic on roads

• Electronic database for industrial sites in rural areas

• Co-operation platform for tourism

• Regional competence network using ICT elements for network enhancing

RPIA NRW

Examples of selected projects 2/2

Internet SME

• Programming and running of a cluster-server in the field of metal-construction

• New e-commerce technologies for shops and trade firms

• Strategic use of internet in small book-shops (Hugh Grant‘s book-shop in Notting Hill)

• Portal for crafts firms

RPIA NRW

Preliminary results / „hopes“

• E-commerce activities will foster cluster building

• E-commerce increases market transparencycompetitive pressure

Creation of competitive advantages in the notion of M. Porter

(Very) First policy recommendations

• Raising awareness and training is still necessary

• Integration of e-commerce support actions into cluster policy approaches

• Generation of „best practice“ through public funding

AND

• Dissemination of best practice (=raising awareness and training)

RPIA NRW