Maastricht, from 6 to 7 March 2006

The workshop was divided into two parts. One part is devoted to policy issues and measurement needs. The second was devoted to a discussion of possible indicator development in the context of new policy needs. The workshop has taken place on March 2 and 3, 2006 at Statistics Finland, Työpajankatu 13 in Helsinki, Finland.

Sessions:

  1. Sectoral and technology based approaches to indicators for the knowledge economy
  2. The challenge for human resources and knowledge production
  3. What do we want from a knowledge economy?
  4. Integrating the local with the global
  5. Composite indicator approaches to measuring the knowledge economy
  6. Concluding session: Policy challenges




Day 1: Thursday 6 October 2005:

 

09.00-09.15     Registration
   
09.15-10.15   Opening of the KEI workshop
    * Welcome address by the Director of UNU-INTECH and MERIT
      Luc Soete
    * Keynote presentation Keith Smith, UTAS    [Download]


10.30-11.30   Session 1: Sectoral and technology based approaches to indicators for the knowledge economy
Chair: Anthony Arundel, MERIT (NL)

Good indicators on how knowledge is developed and applied within sectors or specific technologies are vital to the development of innovation policy and to maximize the economic and social benefits of knowledge. This session gives examples of both approaches.

  •   Sectoral approaches to knowledge indicators  Svein Nas, STEP (NO) [Download]
  •   Technology approaches: Biotechnology  Pari Patel, SPRU (UK)

 

11.30-13.00     Session 2: The challenge for human resources and knowledge production


Chair: Louise Earl, STATS CANADA (CDN)

This session covers some of the main challenges for key knowledge inputs, such as demographic change in developed countries that has led to a decline in the supply of new science and engineering graduates, and an emphasis on ‘brain circulation’, or on immigration of the highly skilled to meet this deficit. These challenges will require new indicators. Some work on this is underway at the OECD. Other relevant areas include the socio-cultural foundations of knowledge production, including the role of social capital such as trust, learning, and the role of universities in the production of knowledge.

  • Indicators and issues for "brain circulation" Wendy Hansen, MERIT (NL)
  • Learning jobs and innovation modes  Edward Lorenz, IDEFI-CNRS (FR)
  • Universities and the KBE  Andrea Bonaccorsi, SSSUP (IT)   [Download]

 

14.00-16.00     Session 3: What do we want from a knowledge economy?

Chair: Keith Smith, UTAS

For over a decade interest in the knowledge economy has been driven by the belief that the development, use and manipulation of knowledge are key factors in economic growth and competitiveness. Social and environmental benefits, such as the quality of life, have attracted less attention, but are equally if not more important as measures of the success of a knowledge economy. Another goal is to encourage greater innovation in the public sector. This session explores indicators for measuring these benefits.

  • The green economy/ weightless economy René Kemp, MERIT (NL)
  • Measuring what matters: assessing people’s quality of life and well-being across Europe Nic Marks, NEF (UK) [Download]
  • Indicators for public sector innovation Lousie Earl, STATS CANADA (CDN) [Download]
  • Publin - public sector innovation results Rifka Weehuizen, MERIT (NL)


16.15-17.45     Session 4: Integrating the local with the global

Chair: Asterios Hatziparadeisis, Ministery of Development Greece (GR)

New global developments will create challenges for developed countries to compete on the basis of innovation. In order to develop appropriate policy responses, there is a crucial need for better indicators on global developments in the knowledge economy, such as the internationalization of R&D and innovation and the development of innovation centres of excellence and capabilities in several developing countries, including China, India, and Brazil.

  •     Globalisation of R&D and the role of MNEs Mikael Åkerblom, Statistics Finland (FI) [Download]
  •     Emerging knowledge economies Martin Schaaper, OECD  [Download]
  •     Job off-shoring potential for developed economies Desirée Van Welsum, OECD



19.30     Conference Dinner     




Day 2: Friday 7 October 2005:

09.00-10.30  Session 5: Composite indicator approaches to measuring the knowledge economy

Chair: Ralf Münnich, University of Tübingen (DE)

The ability of policy makers to respond effectively to the challenges of a knowledge economy depends on the availability and interpretation of timely indicators. Composite indicators can play a role in aiding interpretation. This session gives examples of current research to synthesize disparate indicators for a knowledge economy.

  • Composite indicators for a KBE Mika Naumanen, VTT (FI)  [Download] 
  • The JRC/ OECD handbook on indicators Andrea Saltelli, JRC (IT)  [Download]
  • Preliminary results from simulation approaches Tom Van Puyenbroeck, KUL (BE) Michaela Saisana, JRC (IT)



10.45-12.15     Session 6: Concluding session: Policy challenges

Chair: Claire Nauwelaers, MERIT (NL)

The last session provides an informal forum for different perspectives on the challenges for European policy and the types of indicators that will be required over the next decade.

  •  An academic's perspective on policy challenges Stephane Lhuillery, EP (CH) [Download]
  •  Policy community perspectives on indicator needs and challenges (I) Alex Glabowitz, IPTS (ES) [Download]
  •  Policy community perspectives on indicator needs and challenges (II) Brian Sloan, DG RTD [Download] 


    

12.15-12.30     FP7 and Concluding comments

    * Ian Perry, DG RTD