Business and Regional Development:
Research Based Brokering, Østfold
Increasing the R&D input in SME where R&D is an important strategic factor,while simultaneously wishing to maintain a regional managed long-term R&D initiative.
Research Based Brokering is a tool directed by the Research Council of Norway, which aims to increase R&D in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The project has its roots in the County Council's County Plan and in the Competence Offensive, a regional initiative, where the overall aim is increased innovation and renewal - thus improving competitiveness and the companies' gross product. This also benefits the region.
Another target is to improve co-operation in the regional innovation system, and thereby improve the level of R&D in the region. The aim is to improve companies' ability to utilise available portfolios of R&D tools through a long-term initiative, and gradually increase the level of ambition for their R&D activity measured by the type of R&D tool and the methods and extent of co-operation. A more obvious focus on which level of R&D is relevant for a specific company and selected trades/clusters, will create the foundation for a more systematic and long-term initiative.
Research Based Brokering has a central position when it comes to:
- Maintaining a regionally managed long-term R&D initiative
- Visualizing the regional R&D competence
- Developing a regional R&D strategy
- Improving regional R&D co-operation
- Developing the ability to pass on R&D