Cluster policy and the supporting organizations for transnational clusters promoting - Romanian initiatives

In some european areas there are thousands of active companies with quite similar profiles, but the information about the potential for cooperation among the countries in the area is scarce because of the lack of visibility of SME-s, in general, and of transnational connections between companies and the supporting organizations, in particular. To overcome the current situation which is characterized by this lack of an exchange of information among the european zones on the potential for antreprenorial cooperation, is necessary to have a common european concept and an active implication of the appropiate supporting organizations. On the basis of a context analisys our paper will try to highlighte the need for the following: • Stimulation of productive capacities of companies in order to create cluster networks in the strategic economic sectors, meant to improve the actual integration of the transnational competitive chains of SME-s and contribute thus to the narrowing of regional disparities and to an increase in the attractiveness of the regions lagging behind for FDI; • Improvement of information on the cross-border cooperation potential in theese areas of Europe and promote it, so that SME-s in the regions have a bigger visibility • Stepping up the development of some innovative economic policies, of vertical relations among companies, of the visibility and accessibility of local productive systems and continued growth at a regional level. As case study the author chose the Romanian initiatives for transnational clusters promoting in some of the strategic economic sectors.

Fostering Maritime Innovations Th rough Human Capital: Exploring the Status Quo of the Adriatic Universities

The purpose of the paper is to emphasize the need for enhancing participation of the Adriatic maritime universities and researchers in modern innovation processes in maritime industry. The paper primarily analyses human capital in regard to two constituent components - academic (academic rank and the length of research experience) and collaborative (expertise in innovation projects, the frequency of participation, the constraints related to partnerships and funds). The research is based on quantitative and qualitative analysis. The dependence between the components associated with human capital is quantitatively determined by means of the Pearson\u27s chi-square test and the R programme. The qualitative analysis relies on coding of the attitudes of the maritime researchers about collaborative innovations in maritime industry. The coding was performed by means of the Atlas.ti 8.4.24. programme. Results confirm the significance of human capital for maritime research, identify constraints on the realization of innovations and specific innovations the maritime researchers are working on. Additionally, the paper detected the lack of strategic transformation of the universities that would strengthen collaborative innovations in maritime industry. The paper proposes formation of collaborative network/platform for an efficient use of human capital in scientific research and maritime and economic integrations in the Adriatic region

Sustainable Development Aspects in Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes: The Case of Croatia and Montenegro

The cross-border area between Croatia and Montenegro has similar development preconditions: large potential for tourism development and rich natural and cultural heritage. Both have experience in EU funded cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes. The importance of the sustainable development aspect and is formally included into various national strategic documents, but implementation of such vague strategic documents is often problematic and sustainability aspects need to be examined on programme and project level. The current Integrated Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia-Montenegro 2007-2013 is the basis for our research and sustainability evaluation. As recognised in the Cross-border Cooperation (CBC) Programme, one of the main challenges of the cross-border area besides the impact of globalization on the regional economy and developing competitive economy based on knowledge etc., are also environmental challenges. The Programme’s strategic orientation to sustainable development encompasses economic development, human resources development, social justice and environmental protection. The overall objective focuses on the development of the cross-border region through cooperation and networks following the guidelines and regulations provided by the European Commission (EC) through the IPA Implementing Regulation. Specific objectives focus on development of SMEs, tourism, trade, environment, culture and sport. The long-term opportunities for the programming area are: competitive regional economies based on high quality service sector in tourism; efficient protection of the environment; natural and cultural heritage; and sustainable use of nature resources; as well as high quality public and social services necessary for community development. At project level, environmental issues were only to a very limited degree included and addressed in the application package through evaluation of financial, institutional, policy level and environmental sustainability aspects. Since the CBC Programme is implemented through projects, our questions are the following: What is the structural impact of the proposed actions and do they lead to improved legislation, codes of conduct, and methods? Is there an environmental impact? To which extent is guidance on sustainability issues provided and what is needed for improved implementation? How are participatory approaches during project planning and implementation used?

Workshop on the role of Science and Technology Parks and Incubators in Innovation Ecosystems: Promoting Technology Transfer and Innovation. Focus on the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian Macro Regions and the Western Balkan countries

The workshop was co-organised by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Region of Central Macedonia, Hellenic Republic, in association with the International Association of Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), The Thessaloniki Technology Park, i4G Incubator and AREA Science Park. The objectives of the workshop were to create space for exchange of know-how among practitioners from the region on successful practices in the development and management of science parks and incubators and to explore and understand the role that these can play in creating value and developing innovation ecosystems. The workshop was aimed at exploring the different models for Science and Technology Parks (STPs) and incubator development and financing as well as management. During the event the roles of various stakeholders, both private and public (industry, academia, government and investment community, etc.) in generating a virtuous circle that can accelerate local economic development and increase regional competitiveness were considered. Additionally, the event focused on stimulating discussion on identifying best practices that can help tackle issues and bottlenecks that are specific to the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian macro-regions, and the Western Balkan countries. The overall conclusions of the workshop are expected to assist in streamlining the technology commercialisation and technology transfer systems in all countries concerned including member states, candidate and neighbourhood countries.JRC.I.4-Intellectual Property and Technology Transfe

Factors that influence cross-border cooperation between businesses in the Alps–Adriatic region

Cross-border cooperation is becoming an increasingly important factor in establishing a stimulating business environment. The aim of the article is to introduce factors that influence cross-border cooperation between businesses in the Alps–Adriatic region. A descriptive and analytical approach is used. On the basis of the results of empirical international research into cross-border cooperation in the Alps–Adriatic region between Carinthia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) and Slovenia the article shows and analyses the barriers that businesses face in cross-border cooperation and the factors they consider to best stimulate cross-border cooperation. The results show that good personal relations, language skills and shared interests are the most important factors; the level of assistance and administrative/legislative barriers are the biggest barriers in cross-border cooperation. Different factors stimulating cross-border cooperation can be used to create a base for future strategies and training for business managers

Perspectives for the Balkans and a Wider European Order

CEPS established a template for EU strategy towards the Balkans already during the Kosovo war, and this was refined in the Ljubljana Declaration by the think tanks of the region (with CEPS) in July before the Sarajevo Summit. The subsequent evolution of policy in the region and of the EU and Stability Pact is compared with these proposals. Some parts of the CEPS proposals are developed further. Implications for the rest of the wider Europe are also examined, in search for the defining concepts and mechanisms of an order for the entire European space.

Interregional tourism cooperation : experiences from the Barents

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Regional development through European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG)

Regional Policy is the European Union’s main investment policy. It targets all regions and cities in the EU in order to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, and improve citizens’ quality of life. The most recent territorial-cohesion conceptemployed by European institutions – themacro-regional strategies, currently involves EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, Danube Region and Adriatic-Ionian Region.Therefore Croatia, as a new member of the EU, should devote special attention to regional development. The new Croatian Act on Regional Development aims to promote partnership as a key dimension of regional planning. The Act also introduces a new category of urban agglomerations which confirms the developmental role of the four largest cities in the Republic of Croatia – Zagreb, Split, Rijeka and Osijek. The involvement of private business sector in regional development planning can contribute to increasing employment and investment. Also, companies can contribute to the entrepreneurial dimension of regional projects. Setting up a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG), represents one of the possibilities for new entrepreneurial projects development at the regional level. This form allows the cooperation between entrepreneurs and other stakeholders of regional development. Experience has shown that the various sectors implement theEEIG. In the Republic of Croatia it is a new topic, but certainly in the future there will be more such initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of EEIG in the European Union regional development context. The main objective was to point out the advantages and risks of membership in the EEIG and to discuss possible impact of involvement in establishing an EEIG for differentCroatian partners

Entrepreneurial education and internationalisation of firms in transition economies: a conceptual framework from the case of Croatia

The aim of this paper is to offer an integrated perspective on internationalisation process in transition economies and the role that an entrepreneurial education can play in it. The context of a transition economy, such those countries belonging to the former Yugoslavian republic, deeply affect the entrepreneurial activities established. Internationalisation offers a viable advantage to entrepreneurs and their firms to overcome a limited internal market and hostile conditions faced in the local environment. Thanks to the results obtained by a stream of studies focused on the entrepreneurial context in Croatia, we build a framework to explore the problems faced by entrepreneurs when internationalisation is considered and possible solutions. Our main contribution is the proposition of an entrepreneurial education as facilitator of the process. Indeed, entrepreneurial education, considered as formal education and an entrepreneurial university context, can directly ameliorate the process of internationalisation. Simultaneously it can also affect the networking strategy that in literature is another prominent element tackled regarding the problem of internationalisation in transition economies. Thus, entrepreneurial education may represent a strong boost in which to invest with public policies and targeted interventions