Dr. Edgaras Leichteris,Knowledge Economy Forum,Lithuania

November 26, 2015

Putting e-2015 results into practice: challenges for the national innovation system

What is the presentation about ?

Based on Lithuanian experience of innovation policy making in recent 15 years.

3 main questions, 3 lessons learned and 3 main challenges ahead

Raising global issues in the local context

Question No.1

WHAT have we learned from E-Challenges 2015 conference ?

Diverse cloud of themes

Question No.2

WHAT do we need to move forward ?

3 problem areas

Context

Researchers are best at understanding different contexts and using different methods to adopt foreign good practices to national environments.

Are we capable to transfer the knowledge from different countries ?

Innovation policy making 15 years ago in Lithuania:

“We will implement successful models from Ireland AND Finland AND Germany”

Execution

Business is exceptionally good at execution of things.

Huge amount of created knowledge is useless without business, because business commercializes it, puts real life products into the market

Are we listening to our business people ?

Innovation policy making 15 years ago in Lithuania: “Our ministers of Science/Education and Economy know better what is good for business”

Policy mix

Politicians are exceptionally good at screwing everything up. But… They also can move things forward quickly.

Do we understand our policy mixes ? Do we coordinate them ?

Innovation policy making 15 years ago in Lithuania: “Lithuania will be the hi-technology country with priority sectors in biotech, laser technologies, ICT, electronics and mechatronics” (but.. no money and coordination action)

Lesson No.1

It is very difficult to copy foreign practice without proper research and understanding of national context and

potential

We need to engage researchers into the process

Lesson No. 2

It is very difficult to create effective national innovation system without business participation and active

feedback

We need to engage business into the process. They hate the process, but

they also make it more effective

Lesson No. 3

It is impossible to have good results without proper policy mix and constant

evaluation of the progress

We need to promote evidence based policy making and monitor key

performance indicators

Have we learned ?

In 2012 Lithuania has started preparation of smart specialization strategy with aim to narrow down the priorities and base them with evidence.

It was participatory process of 2 years. Lithuania was among first new EU countries who had strategy approved by EU.

The whole idea: to find the “golden eggs” where to put EU money for research, development and innovation

Smart specialization process

Priority areas

Energy and sustainable environment

Health technologies and biotechnologies

Agro-innovation and food technologies

New production processes, materials and technologies

Transport, logistics and information and communication technologies

Inclusive and creative society

Contact edgaras@zef.lt for priorities and more details on particular area

Challenge No.1

Keep up with priorities

A need for “lean” policies

COMMITMENT by policy makers

LIMITED amount of policies is needed

BETTER understanding of those policies and their interrelationship (policy-mix)

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE (policy learning, evidence based, facilitation instead of regulation, evaluation)

RIGHT measures for the right paradigm (for example - stop using measures attributable to “linear model of innovation” and calling it “holistic”).

Challenge No.2

Overcome culture of legalism and formalism

Need to admit problems

Legalism culture supported by rule based public administration – policy makers strongly believe that national innovation system, clusters, innovation actors can be created by better legal documents and establishment of new implementation agencies.

Imitational culture – with roots in soviet system, imitational culture still is a big obstacle for innovation in public sector (governance, universities). In private sector it is an issue only in the area of public support.

Challenge No.3

Align actors of national innovation system towards common aims

Need to continue dialog

Overuse of politicized decision-making is a reason why good recommendations are not implemented.

Lack of trust and cooperation culture is a reason for weak cooperation between public and private sectors, research and business institutions, lack of REAL cross-cutting actions, joint design initiatives.

Support trust and cooperation through all the measures. It is not enough to have a “measure for cooperation”. Cooperation shall become the mindset and top priority. PARTNERSHIPS shall be used not only in design, but also in implementation of the policies

Dr. Edgaras Leichteris

http://www.linkedin.com/in/leichteris

edgaras@zef.lt