Addressing the innovation gap: Lessons from the Stairway to Excellence (S2E) project

There is a considerable territorial disparity in terms of research and innovation (R&I) performance within Europe between EU15 and EU13 Member States (MSs) . The two biggest European funds, European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and Horizon 2020 (H2020), aim at supporting the development of European competitiveness, growth, knowledge generation and as well as closing the innovation gap and promoting research excellence across Europe. Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) play a key role in fostering an efficient and inclusive Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystem by creating the right framework for focused investments based on selected high value added priorities and a shared vision of territorial development. Also, the European Commission's project Stairway to Excellence (S2E) is focussed on the provision of assistance to EU MSs and Regions with emphasis on promoting R&I excellence and maximising the specific value added of S3 investments such as the capacity building to support for R&I activities and exploitation of research results for raising the overall social/economic impact. This report summarises the main outcomes of the activities undertaken by the S2E team during the initial phase of the project from June 2014 to January 2017). It focuses on the S2E Country Reports – produced by the national independent experts and provided analysis on the optimal use of key European R&I funds – and the Joint Statements of S2E National Events – an outcome of national events covering the issues and main conclusions - as well as the other analytical work of the project. By picking those issues and actions common to more than one country and frequently mentioned, the main bottlenecks and possible policy actions to address these issues are summarised within three dimensions; namely, quality of R&I governance, capacity building, and innovation and commercialisation. This analysis and particularly the policy recommendations offer solutions for these issues that can also contribute to closing the innovation gap in Europe, which is demonstrated by the annual European Innovation Scoreboard comparing the performance of the EU MSs.JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

IoT for Efficient Data Collection from Real World Resources

The Internet of Things is providing new ways of experiencing and reacting to the physical world through the ability of advanced electronic devices that collect data. At the same time, as new application scenarios are envisioned, with the assistance of information generated by sensors, new problems and obstacles will arise. This requires new development to meet business and technical requirements, such as interoperability between heterogeneous devices and confidence (such as validity, security and trust) over smart devices. With the increase of these complex requirements it becomes crucial to develop an infrastructure aimed at tackling such requirements mentioned. IoT middleware – a software layer that bridges the gap between devices and information systems. Thus, this work aims to study the mechanisms and methodology for data collection, devices interoperability and data filtering, closer to the data sources, in order to optimize the collection and pre-analysis of data that can then be used by various applications such as the ones in manufacturing industry

The Elements of Big Data Value

This open access book presents the foundations of the Big Data research and innovation ecosystem and the associated enablers that facilitate delivering value from data for business and society. It provides insights into the key elements for research and innovation, technical architectures, business models, skills, and best practices to support the creation of data-driven solutions and organizations. The book is a compilation of selected high-quality chapters covering best practices, technologies, experiences, and practical recommendations on research and innovation for big data. The contributions are grouped into four parts: · Part I: Ecosystem Elements of Big Data Value focuses on establishing the big data value ecosystem using a holistic approach to make it attractive and valuable to all stakeholders. · Part II: Research and Innovation Elements of Big Data Value details the key technical and capability challenges to be addressed for delivering big data value. · Part III: Business, Policy, and Societal Elements of Big Data Value investigates the need to make more efficient use of big data and understanding that data is an asset that has significant potential for the economy and society. · Part IV: Emerging Elements of Big Data Value explores the critical elements to maximizing the future potential of big data value. Overall, readers are provided with insights which can support them in creating data-driven solutions, organizations, and productive data ecosystems. The material represents the results of a collective effort undertaken by the European data community as part of the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the European Commission and the Big Data Value Association (BDVA) to boost data-driven digital transformation

Digital Innovation Hubs as policy instruments to boost digitalisation of SMEs: A Practical Handbook & Good Practices for regional/national policy makers and DIH Managers

Building upon the knowledge gained during the last two years on how Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) operate in different regional socioeconomic contexts, this practical handbook aims to provide national/regional policy makers and/or existing DIH managers useful and structured information on how to setup a new DIH or reinforce existing ones while benefiting from available funds with a special focus to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027. Given the urgent need of SMEs and public administrations to rapidly deploy advanced digital technologies to mitigate the negative consequences of the recent COVID19 crisis to their businesses, the role of DIHs is more important than ever. The Handbook introduces a step-by-step approach to provide support to policy makers that envisage strengthening DIHs in their regions/countries with a view to accelerate digital transformation of the economy and society. This approach allows to use the Handbook as a reference tool depending on the specific needs and level of implementation of DIHs. The practical character of the Handbook is enhanced with the inclusion of many examples that highlight good practices in the different steps of the proposed methodology.JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

EXPLORING INDUSTRY 4.0 FROM A COLLABORATIVE PERSPECTIVE

1noLa Tesi presenta i risultati di un progetto di ricerca triennale svolto nell'ambito del programma “Eureka” e sviluppato congiuntamente dall'Università degli Studi di Macerata, dalla business school ISTAO e dalla Regione Marche. Il dottorato industriale si è posto l’obiettivo di esaminare come favorire il coinvolgimento di vari stakeholder (istituzioni, imprese, mondo accademico e utenti finali) per promuovere l'adozione delle tecnologie dell'Industria 4.0 tra le imprese regionali. La Tesi comprende un rapporto regionale, un policy brief e sette articoli scientifici, sei di quali sono stati pubblicati su riviste nazionali e internazionali. Le ricerche si basano principalmente su metodologie qualitative, includendo revisioni della letteratura, focus group e casi di studio multipli. La ricerca parte dal presupposto che i programmi di policy volti a sostenere l'introduzione delle tecnologie dell'Industria 4.0 dovrebbero essere progettati all'interno delle Strategie regionali di specializzazione intelligente (S3). Difatti, la governance collaborativa assume un ruolo di primo piano nelle S3, richiedendo il coinvolgimento di diversi stakeholder nella progettazione e implementazione. Pertanto, dopo aver analizzato perché e come la governance collaborativa può supportare l'integrazione tra Industria 4.0 e S3 (Capitolo 1), si valuta il grado di prontezza verso l'Industria 4.0 a livello europeo (Capitolo 2), italiano (Capitolo 3) e regionale (Capitolo 4), concentrandosi sul caso delle Marche. L'ultimo capitolo (Capitolo 5) integra i tre livelli di analisi territoriale, considerando il ruolo di strutture intermediarie nel supportare i meccanismi di collaborazione per l'introduzione delle tecnologie 4.0. La Tesi identifica e analizza i Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) come potenziali strutture intermediarie. I DIHs sono stati introdotti dalla Commissione Europea nel 2016 nell'ambito dell'iniziativa Digitizing European Industry per supportare le imprese e in particolare le piccole e medie imprese (PMI) nell'integrazione delle tecnologie 4.0. Il ruolo di intermediazione dei DIHs viene anche riportato nei piani S3 e in quelli di Industria 4.0. Il capitolo conclusivo definisce e applica un modello concettuale per far luce sulle attività dei DIHs. Il modello proposto analizza le loro attività nell'ambito del framework dell’Open Innovation (OI). Il modello viene applicato tramite desk research a tutti i DIHs europei, integrando delle interviste semi-strutturate a un campione italiano tra cui è incluso un DIH rappresentativo della regione Marche. Dall'analisi emerge che il sistema italiano dei DIHs si distingue dallo scenario europeo per l'elevato numero di associazioni industriali e artigiane che agiscono come suoi coordinatori. Come rivelato dalle interviste, la fiducia è considerata l'aspetto principale che attiva i meccanismi di OI, ponendo il DIH come un affidabile mediatore di conoscenza. Tuttavia, i risultati acquisiti dal campione italiano di DIH non possono essere generalizzati, quindi è necessaria una ricerca approfondita a livello europeo. Per offrire una valutazione completa, occorre anche integrare la prospettiva delle PMI supportate dal DIH, differenziandole per settore e tecnologia. In termini di implicazioni di policy, la ricerca suggerisce l’introduzione di meccanismi di controllo per valutare e premiare i DIHs in base al loro contributo alla crescita regionale. Inoltre, è necessario rafforzare i collegamenti dei DIHs all'interno dei piani regionali S3 e nazionali di Industria 4.0. In questa direzione, gli studi si propongono di porre le basi per ricercare una maggiore integrazione dell’Industria 4.0 all'interno del framework S3, facendo leva sulla prospettiva collaborativa richiesta dalla quarta rivoluzione industriale.The Thesis presents the findings of a three-year research project, carried out within the “Eureka” program jointly developed by the University of Macerata, ISTAO business school and the Region Marche. The scholarship attached to the industrial Ph.D. program was aimed at examining how to foster the involvement of various stakeholders (i.e., institutions, firms, academia and users) to promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies among regional firms. The Thesis includes a regional report, a policy brief, and seven papers among which six were published in national and international journals. The studies included are mainly based on qualitative methodologies, such as literature review, focus groups and multiple case studies. The studies assume that plans aimed at endorsing the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies should be designed within the regional Smart Specialization Strategies (S3). Indeed, collaborative governance plays a prominent role in S3, requiring the involvement of multiple stakeholders in their design and implementation. Therefore, after reviewing why and how collaborative governance can support the integration of Industry 4.0 in S3 (Chapter 1), the degree of readiness towards Industry 4.0 is assessed at the European (Chapter 2), Italian (Chapter 3) and Regional level (Chapter 4), focusing on the Marche region case. The last chapter (Chapter 5) integrates all the three territorial levels of analysis, by considering the role of intermediary actors in supporting collaborative mechanisms for the introduction of 4.0 technologies. Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) are appointed and analyzed as eligible intermediary structures. DIHs were introduced by the European Commission in 2016 within the Digitising European Industry initiative to support firms and particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the integration of 4.0 technologies. DIHs are likely figures to hold the role of intermediaries, as stated both in S3 and Industry 4.0 plans. The last chapter designs and applies a conceptual model to shed light on the activities of DIHs. The model proposed reviews the DIHs’ activities within the Open Innovation (OI) framework. The model is applied through desk research to all European DIHs and then more in depth by using semi-structured interviews on an Italian sample, among which an exemplary DIH from the Marche region is included. The analysis reveals that the Italian system of DIHs distinguishes itself from the European scenario because of the high number of industrial and artisan associations acting as their coordinators. These structures are embedded in the regional territory. Further, the interviews revealed that trust is considered the main aspect triggering OI mechanisms, placing the DIH as a trustful knowledge broker. However, the results captured from the Italian sample of DIHs cannot be generalized, thus extensive research is needed at the European level. To offer a complete assessment, it would be worthwhile to incorporate the viewpoint of the SMEs that are supported by the DIH, differentiating them per sector and technology. In terms of policy implications, control mechanisms should be introduced for evaluating and rewarding DIHs based on their contribution towards regional growth. Further, it is required to strengthen the links of DIHs within the regional S3 and national Industry 4.0 plans. In this direction, the studies presented pave the way for seeking a greater integration of Industry 4.0 within the S3 framework, leveraging on the collaborative perspective required by the fourth industrial revolution.openopenLepore DominiqueLepore, Dominiqu

Effects of Restructuring at Regional Level and Approaches to Dealing with the Consequences

While restructuring and structural change are increasingly acknowledged as inherent characteristics of economic development and receive much policy attention at European and Member State level, the topic is rarely discussed from a regional perspective. However, most large-scale restructurings have effects on the regions and employment areas in which they take place. Specific information on the effects of restructuring at regional level and approaches to tackle its potential consequences for the local economy, labour market and society is scarce. This report aims to help close the knowledge gap. Based on secondary data analysis, a literature review and five in-depth case studies, it identifies and discusses the effects of large-scale restructuring outside the firm undergoing restructuring. It also seeks to illustrate success stories of positive regional management directed towards maintaining and improving labour markets following an important restructuring event

Defining European ICT Poles of Excellence: Literature Review

The European ICT Poles of Excellence (EIPE) study pursues the following main objectives: • Define what European ICT Poles (EIPE) of world-class Excellence are, their salient characteristics and the corresponding quantitative indicators. • Develop a quantitative methodology for the identification and analysis of existing European ICT Poles of Excellence. • Develop a quantitative methodology for the identification and monitoring of emerging European ICT Poles of Excellence. This report pursues the first objective. To do so, it roots the definition of EIPE in a large body of scientific literature, both conceptual and empirical, that has described, analysed and mapped for almost a century the spatial concentration of economic activities, and moreJRC.J.3-Information Societ

An open platform for seamless sensor support in healthcare for the Internet of things

Population aging and increasing pressure on health systems are two issues that demand solutions. Involving and empowering citizens as active managers of their health represents a desirable shift from the current culture mainly focused on treatment of disease, to one also focused on continuous health management and well-being. Current developments in technological areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), lead to new technological solutions that can aid this shift in the healthcare sector. This study presents the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a platform called Common Recognition and Identification Platform (CRIP), a part of the CareStore project, which aims at supporting caregivers and citizens to manage health routines in a seamless way. Specifically, the CRIP offers sensor-based support for seamless identification of users and health devices. A set of initial requirements was defined with a focus on usability limitations and current sensor technologies. The CRIP was designed and implemented using several technologies that enable seamless integration and interaction of sensors and people, namely Near Field Communication and fingerprint biometrics for identification and authentication, Bluetooth for communication with health devices and web services for wider integration with other platforms. Two CRIP prototypes were implemented and evaluated in laboratory during a period of eight months. The evaluations consisted of identifying users and devices, as well as seamlessly configure and acquire vital data from the last. Also, the entire Carestore platform was deployed in a nursing home where its usability was evaluated with caregivers. The evaluations helped assess that seamless identification of users and seamless configuration and communication with health devices is feasible and can help enable the IoT on healthcare applications. Therefore, the CRIP and similar platforms could be transformed into a valuable enabling technology for secure and reliable IoT deployments on the healthcare sector.This research work was supported under the European Framework Program FP7 Research for the Benefit of SMEs, project FP7-SME-2012-315158-CareStore. The authors would also like to acknowledge the work of all the members of the CareStore team, without whom this work would not be possible