State of the Art Country Report Austria FH JOANNEUM (P7)

Transcription

1 INNOSEE PROJECT LLP BG-LEONARDO-LMP European Commission - Lifelong Learning Programme State of the Art Country Report Austria FH JOANNEUM (P7) December 2011 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

2 CONTENTS 1. Regional policies for RDC support Styrian cluster policy Upper Austrian cluster and network policy Tyrolean cluster policy Conclusion Operating, emerging and potential RDCs Styria Upper Austria Vienna Lower Austria Carinthia Tyrol Burgenland Profile of selected most important RDC initiatives / Summary description of most important RDCs Automotive Cluster Styria (AC Styria)... 5 Main practices per RDC Synthetics Cluster Upper Austria Human.technology Styria Cluster Mechatronics Tirol Eco world DRC practices identified and potential training needs areas Summary / 12

3 1. Regional policies for RDC support In almost every Austrian province clusters are established in traditional industry sectors and newly emerged market niches mostly in high-tech-sectors. The paper presents policies in the three provinces Styria, Upper Austria and Tyrol as they are leading regions concerning establishment of clusters Styrian cluster policy In the strategy paper Economic Strategy Styria 2020 Growth through Innovation compiled by the provincial government of Styria existing clusters take an important role in the regional development plan, as the strengths of the region will concentrated in them. The SFG, as an outsourced 100% owned institution by the federal government of Styria, is in general responsible in Styria for the establishment of clusters. There is a standard procedure to set up a cluster: - analyzing fields of strength in the Styrian economy - animating leading companies - describing the whole sector - invitation of the main research institutes - informal workshops with selected companies - defining key fields of action - invitation to participate and set up of the cluster - building the operative structure of the cluster - start of the actual cluster activities As representative of the Styrian government, the SFG is owing about 100% of the cluster at the starting phase, then gradually reducing its share to about 26%. However, it is important that the SFG remains in the cluster organisation in order to be able to ensure that the cluster stays on the path originally outlined. The next steps in the cluster policy of the SFG comprise to strengthen the new clusters material, human technology, food technology and creative industries clusters, while getting the older ones towards internationalisation and opening new markets for members Upper Austrian cluster and network policy Within the last years, Upper Austria has positioned itself as a competent region for clusters and networks. The policy for economic development and technology is cluster and network oriented and is consequently realized as a strategy for companies to sustain innovation and competition. This idea will be continued systematically in the future on base of the strategic program Innovative Upper Austria 2010plus. Since 1998, clusters were gradually developed in important economic branches in Upper Austria: automotive, plastics, eco-energy, furniture & timber construction, food, health technology, mechatronics and environmental technology. In addition, inter-branch networks have been set-up in the fields of human resources, design & media, logistics and energy efficiency. Small & medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly supported in the policy. All clusters and networks, which were directed by Upper Austria s location and innovation agency (TMG) till the end of 2005, are now part of the Clusterland Oberösterreich GmbH. Since January 2006, Clusterland Oberösterreich GmbH is now operationally active. Managing Director is DI (FH) 3 / 12

4 Werner Pamminger. Legitimate owners are TMG with 61%, Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Austrian Industry with each 19,5 % Tyrolean cluster policy Also the province of Tyrol serves as a good practice for the development of cluster policy. The Standortagentur Tirol is the promoting agency of the Tyrolean economy. The main aim of the agency is the strengthening of the business location Tirol by founding, settlement and development of enterprises for the maintenance of existing and creation of new employment. One of the key instruments for these aims is the establishment of clusters, which leads to an increased cross linking of Tyrolean businesses and the intensified knowledge and technology transfer between the business sector and the research sector of Tyrol. Like in all other cases in Austria the linking agency itself is owned by the Tyrolean government and is dedicated to the economic development of the province Conclusion Summarizing most research driven cluster initiatives were created by regional public authorities and are in most cases owned by public agencies which have the goal of strengthening the competiveness of the province. Clusters are seen as a possibility to promote innovation and to create a regional branding. Many clusters and especially research driven clusters are integrated in or closely connected to so-called impulse centers or competence centers. These centers that hosts small enterprises were created to bundle regional enterprises and research institutions to conduct joint research activities. 2. Operating, emerging and potential RDCs Following Austrian research-driven clusters were identified. They are differentiated by the province they are situated: 2.1. Styria Following research driven clusters are located in Styria - AC Styria - Human.technology Styria - Material cluster Styria - ECO WORLD Styria 2.2. Upper Austria Following research driven clusters are located in Upper Austria: - Cluster drive Technology - Kunststoff Cluster OÖ - Automobilcluster OÖ - Ökoenergiecluster - Mechatronik-Cluster - Lebensmittel-Cluster OÖ 2.3. Vienna Following research driven clusters are located in Vienna: - Cluster Life Science Vienna Region - Automotive Cluster Vienna Region 4 / 12

5 - Cluster Creative Industries - IKT Cluster 2.4. Lower Austria Following research driven cluster is located in Lower Austria: - Kunststoff-Cluster 2.5. Carinthia Following research driven clusters are located in Carinthia: - (micro)electronic cluster - Software Internetcluster 2.6. Tyrol Following research driven clusters are located in Tyrol: - Cluster Qualitätsbetriebe Tiroler Niedrigenergiehaus - Cluster Life Science Tirol - Cluster Mechatronik Tirol 2.7. Burgenland Following research driven clusters is located in Burgenland: - ICT Burgenland 3. Profile of selected most important RDC initiatives / Summary description of most important RDCs 3.1. Automotive Cluster Styria (AC Styria) The first cluster which was set up in Syria was the Automotive Cluster (AC Styria). It was first developed within the SFG as a network, and later transformed into a limited company of its own. The AC styria can be seen as a best practice example for all the other clusters in Styria. The automotive sector became the most important sector for the Styrian economy. The success of the AC Styria and the whole automotive economy convinced the Styrian government to follow the policy of clusters. That is why the cluster policy is still important even after more than ten years after its first implementation. The main goal of AC Styria is the grouping of all in the automotive value chain available forces of the region. Thereby the cluster aims at increasing the innovation strength and international competitiveness. Beside the transfer of technology and knowledge and the creation of innovation in the Styrian region the main focus of the cluster is on communication and information platform, marketing of the automotive region Styria, development of existing networks, initiation of co-operation projects and training programs. Together with its partner companies, AC Styria will focus in future on innovations and technologies in the field of Green Cars - Clean Mobility" with three main priorities: ECO-Powertrains, ECO-Materials and ECO-Design & Smart Production. This means that in future, intelligent electrified powertrains with the appropriate range, assemblies and components made from environmentally-compatible and 5 / 12

6 resource-saving materials, and cost-efficient production technologies will play a significant role in AC Styria s work. Main practices per RDC The AC Styria is relatively old (founded 1995) and well-established in the region. The cluster has already 180 Partners some of them are using only the training offers and events. Nevertheless one of the main activities is research cooperation among the cluster members in various joint projects. The aim now is to establish the cluster as internationally recognized training center and Know-how transfer hub. As the automotive cluster consists mainly of suppliers to European and American car manufacturers, it operates also on this level. To stay competitive new seminal fields of research will be undertaken in future specifically in the areas of electronics, sensor technology and material engineering. Thereby the aim is the joint development of modular and systematic solutions is a hub for the competence development of the automotive cluster companies, especially those that are suppliers to the car manufacturers. Key facts Name AC Styria Industry Automotive Public Ownership 26% Number of Members 180 Revenue of members (in Mio ) R&D (in% of revenue) 5 Export ( in % of the revenue) Synthetics Cluster Upper Austria The synthetics cluster Upper Austria is an intersectoral network of the synthetics sector. It supports, initiates and coordinates the cooperation among enterprises as well as the cooperation between companies and technology transfer institutions in this field. The main aim of the cluster is the bundling of potentials and competencies to raise the innovation and the international competiveness of the members. Thereby the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises will be focused on. The synthetics cluster incorporates actors in following branches: - processing of synthetics - synthetics engineering - tool and mould manufacturing - Production and trade of raw material and recyclate - Synthetics related services - R&D institutions The most important tasks of the synthetics clusters are: - Initiating, development and supervision of cooperation projects involving companies and technology transfer institutions in the field of technology, organization and qualification. - Joint participation of domestic synthetics enterprises in European projects. - Initiating and coordination of cross-company sector benchmarking processes Main practices per RDC 6 / 12

7 A remarkable number of joint projects are undertaken by the synthetics cluster since its existence most of them are research-driven. Since 1999 more than 100 cooperation projects were accomplished or are currently running. Additionally the cluster is involved in some European projects in different funding schemes, but the cluster is also engaged in nationally and regionally funded research projects. With an export ratio of more than 60 per cent the cluster also acts on an international level. The cluster offers support for internationalisation of its members, it cross-links the cluster and members with international networks and it coordinates requests of foreign companies for joint research activities with cluster members. Additionally the cluster offers a R&D resource platform of and for the cluster members trainings and workshops platforms for potential project funding sources acquisition of national and regional funding for its members coordination of sectorial benchmarking studies soliciting of the synthetics industry as an important economic factor in the Austrian business landscape Key facts Kunststoffcluster Name OÖ Industry Syntetics Public Ownership 100% Number of Members 470 Revenue of members (in Mio ) R&D (in% of revenue) 4 Export ( in % of the revenue) Human.technology Styria Human.technology Styria was founded in It is an initiative to strengthening the competitiveness of Styrian enterprises, institutions and research centers in the field of medicine-, bio- and pharmaceutical technologies for the cross-linking of research and economics as well as for the strong positioning of Styrian competences on international level. The collaboration of business, research and research funding guarantees the future success of enterprises in this field. Styria can refer to small, medium-sized and big companies in the area of human technologies. The cluster supports its members by co-organisation, cooperation and coordination in different projects. The aim of the cluster is the effective cross-linking of business, science and politics in the area of human technology. By usage of synergies between the involved enterprises and institutions cooperations and company settlements will be actively supported. The main advantages of the cluster lies in the existence of a high density of public and private research institutions integrated in the cluster and the support of research networks such as the Styrian NANONET network. As for this Research and development is undertaken in 3 extramural research institutions, 24 competence centers and one university hospital. 7 / 12

8 Mission and Vision It is our intention to occupy a key position in the development and application of Integrated Health Care Solutions, as well as to promote development in this sector, reaching beyond our Styrian borders. We aim to make human.technology.styria a centre of excellence in the area of medical device and regenerative medicine. We plan to make the company name, human.technology.styria, synonomous worldwide with high-quality solutions in this field. Main practices per RDC The main activities of the human technology cluster is the coordination, organization and cooperation in setting up joint research activities in basic and applied research, training and qualification measures, but the cluster also helps in the internationalization process, cross-linking to international and national research institutes and international outlook studies in the human technology sector. Key facts human.technology Name Styria Industry Medicine, biotech Public Ownership 100% Number of Members 41 Revenue of members (in Mio ) n.a. R&D (in% of revenue) n.a. Export ( in % of the revenue) n.a Cluster Mechatronics Tirol 75 innovation-driven companies, institutions and universities represent the cluster mechatronics Tyrol. The coordinated cooperation, development and expansions of the cluster will be defined regularly by the advisory board which consists of practitioner and researchers of many different specialist fields. The companies and research institutions are working in following branches: - Tool and mould manufacturing - Metal refining - Automotive - Optics - Processing of synthetics - Engineering and industrial design - Engine and plant construction - Education and research The main areas of interventions of the cluster Mechatronics Tyrol are research and development, transfers of technologies and marketing and networking. The main activities undertaken by the cluster initiatives are in the area of research and development: - Research and cross-linking to adequate project partners - Utilizing platforms to initiate cooperation projects - Procurement of optimal research partners - Counseling and access regarding funding programmes In the field of transfer of technologies the main activities are: 8 / 12

9 - Organizing visits to selected cluster organisations, technical pilot plants, pilot projects - Organizing discussions on transfer and initiation of collaborative technology developments. Mission and Vision "Innovation through cooperation is the objective of the cluster Mechatronics Tyrol of the Standortagentur Tyrol. The cluster pools the existing know-how of Tyrolean companies and research and educational institutions, promotes further cooperation and thus strengthens the competitiveness of this dynamic, young and innovative economic sector embedded into an alpine context. Companies and research and educational institutions within this special field additionally profit from close bonds with other booming sectors at the business location Tirol, like wellness and tourism, life science and IT. Main practices per RDC The scope of cluster services of the mechatronics cluster Tirol ranges from editing industry-relevant information, transferring know how at events, assisting and implementing cooperation projects to supporting the fields of marketing and communication. Companies actively participating within the network are sensitized to developments and trends determining competition, are enabled to increase their power of innovation and to be more visible within an international context. Hereby the close collaboration of cluster-members plays a vital role. Advanced training in the field of mechatronics is additionally offered. Thinking and acting within the separated categories of engineering, material engineering, electrical engineering and information technology moves to the background today, innovative and successful products are developed through the creative combination of the technological fields within the cluster. Therefore the mechatronic cluster integrates different fields to undertake conjoint research projects in different fields from e-mobility to renewable energies. Key facts Name Cluster Mechatronics Tirol Industry mechatronics Public Ownership 100% Number of Members 50 Revenue of members (in Mio ) n.a. R&D (in% of revenue) n.a. Export ( in % of the revenue) n.a Eco world The cluster Eco World is located in Styria and was founded 1998 by the Styrian government. The cluster aims at the strengthening of research and development in the field of alternative energy. It does that by intensifying the cooperation of the economy and research institutions in Styria (and beyond). A special focus is on strengthening the fields renewable energies, effective constructing and refloating, environmental technologies. More specifically the cluster is operating in following fields: - Bio mass, bio gas and bio diesel - Solar power and photovoltaic - Waste and material flows - Water and waste water 9 / 12

10 - Energy efficiency and more ECO WORLD STYRIA - Umwelttechnik-Netzwerkbetriebs GmbH - is owned by SFG Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungs GmbH (or Innofinanz, resp.), the province of Styria (Specialist Department 19D), the City of Graz as well as the companies Binder+Co. AG, e² group umweltengineering GmbH, FIBAG Forschungszentrum für integrals Bauwesen AG and KWB Kraft und Wärme aus Biomasse GmbH. Beside subsidies and shareholder s contributions of the owners, financing takes place via contributions of the members as well as revenue from projects and services. The main activities of the ECO Cluster are: - Facilitating cooperation between cluster partners and initiating of prototype projects and cooperation projects. - Strategy support such as counseling regarding the topics of national and international markets, technologies and cooperation partners - Innovation support such as analysis of patents in defined field fields of technologies, evaluation of innovation potential, identification of technology and development partners and development of research projects - Funding support such as the identification of adequate funding opportunities for cluster members Mission and Vision Vision The World s Green Tech Valley Styrian companies already are international technology and market leaders in the areas of energy and environmental engineering. In order to strengthen and develop this position, ECO WORLD STYRIA supports the companies and the location Styria with basic services and projects with strategic levers along the growth drivers innovation, know-how, and new markets. Key facts Name Eco Styria Industry renewable energy Public Ownership 74% Number of Members 84 Revenue of members (in Mio ) R&D (in% of revenue) n.a. Export ( in % of the revenue) n.a. Main practices per RDC (i.e. cluster development and extension, new product development, access to global markets, funding of new ventures) Beside the coordination of research activities among partners Eco world cluster offers following services to its members: 1) Participation in the design of the location of the future with new research topics, technological model projects, and cooperation with the ECO companies 2) Strategy support: Consulting on the subjects of national and international markets, technologies, and cooperation partners tailored to the companies' needs 10 / 12

11 3) Innovation support: Patent analysis for defined areas of technology, innovation potential evaluation, technology and development partner identification, project development 4) Funding support: Appropriate funding as well as the exclusive funding map (Förderungslandkarte ), selective investors for environmental engineering innovations 5) Any further services when it comes to the development and industry competence of ECO may be acquired at the cost price 4. DRC practices identified and potential training needs areas The Austrian research driven clusters differ in many respects from each other. While one are offering a multitude of services to their partners and the facilitating of joint research activities are only one of many, some are focusing on the research aspect and offers only a few additional services to their members and partners. RDC management: Many of the observed clusters are existing since a long time and are acting on a very professional level with experts on all management levels. The material cluster Styria may need training in this field, as the cluster management team is relatively small and the network is in development (Right now there are only a few cluster members and most of them are private and public research institutes.) Intelligence, watch and foresight: emerging technologies, market niches and opportunities: Here the same observations could be made as in the previous section. Most of the cluster staff is experienced technicians with management or business skills or vice versa and can anticipate emerging technologies and market opportunities. Furthermore most of them have developed a innovation strategy. Innovation, new product development, IPR: This topic is also covered by the multitude of the observed research driven clusters. Innovation, product development and IPR are not only covered in joint research activities, but also in training offers, workshops and events organized and conducted by the cluster initiatives. In one study it is mentioned that research works good in applied research, but there may be room for improvement when it goes to the utilization of basic research for the Austrian industry. Access to global markets, global market promotion, internationalisation of sales: This could be a room for intervention for some sectors of research-driven clusters. The existing automotive clusters in Austria do not deal with the problem as many of the companies have to act internationally because of the market structure. Others such as the material clusters or clusters in renewable energy have innovative products, but may need additional know-how in this area Funding for innovation: As all Austrian clusters are founded or at least initiated by regional public bodies and are often part of the economic strategies and policies of the provinces, the know-how about national and regional funding is prevalent in all clusters. In some clusters a lack of knowledge about European and national funding opportunities could be detected. Networking: In some studies about Austrian cluster it is criticized that some Austrian clusters are not cross-linked to other regional clusters. Also some clusters are lacking in networking on European and international level. Information management: A survey among cluster managers illustrated that gathering and dissemination of information is lacking in many Austrian clusters. Knowledge management could improve communication of clusters. 11 / 12

12 5. Summary From the sources used writing the report, it is difficult to detect training needs of the existing research-driven clusters. The focus group interview and the survey will give a deeper insight in the training needs of Austrian clusters. 12 / 12