Ricarda - Regional Intellectual Capital Reporting Development and Application of a Methodology for European Regions

Styria

Region and Regional RTD Policy

Styria, one of Austria's federal provinces and located in the South-East of the country, has a strong position in the range of technology, innovation and R&D both regarding the level and the dynamics as can be observed by recent statistics. In some areas Styria ranks among the best 25 regions of Europe. The existing strong regional knowledge base fosters the innovation potential of the Styrian economy. In particular the industrial sector appears since the second half of the 90's responsible for the high economic dynamics. The growth dynamics are due to a few rather traditional sectors. Styria stands now on the threshold of a new challenge of structural change: a change towards new fields of technology and a role change from the "technology taker" to the "technology provider". This is considered as a prerequisite, in order to maintain the growth dynamics and create employment. Therefore a stronger development of science-industry linkages through clusters and competence centres is considered indispensable for a sound future.

The main responsibility for the regional technological policy (agenda) setting is borne by the provincial government and distributed between different authorities. The tasks at the policy level cover the design and development of technology policy, the strategic orientation and planning as well as overall decision making, evaluation of programmes, integration and coordination tasks within the federal science, technology and innovation (STI) system and lobbying for local R&D interests. At the beginning of the 90's the Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG) was set up by the public authorities to serve as an intermediary policy institution. The realisation and implementation of the strategic defaults is mainly done by the SFG.

Further information: www.steiermark.at

Styrian Pilot Cluster: Plastics Engineering and Polymer Science

The Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL) was founded as a cooperative research company within the framework of the Kplus program of the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology as a “ Competence Center in Polymer Engineering and Science”. Since its foundation in 2002 it is based in Leoben (Styria) and holds offices in Graz (Styria) and Wels ( Upper Austria ) with overall about 80 employees. By incorporating and combining the scientific, engineering and methodological competence of leading polymer research institutions (12 Scientific Partners), on the one hand, and the technology, application and market-development expertise of the polymer industry and the service sector (40 Company Partners), on the other, the Center acts as a link that interconnects the science based approach of existing academic institutions with the applied research and product development approach of the polymer industry.

Together with its Scientific and its Company Partners, a main mission of the Center is to carry out a joint research program in order to generate novel knowledge and know-how in specific areas of polymer engineering and science, thereby continuously increasing and fostering its own R&D competency as well as the one of its Partners. The application of a science-based methodology to resolve problems of industrial significance, and the transfer of research results and knowledge available and gained shall contribute to the further strengthening of the competitiveness of the PCCL and its Partners. Research activities that extend beyond the scope of the Kplus program, such as contractual research, are carried out within the Non-Kplus business area.

PCCLs vision is to lastingly establish the Center as the leading research institution for science-based, pre-competitive research in Polymer Engineering and Science in Austria , simultaneously becoming one of the leading institutions in this field in Europe . With its locations in Leoben (Headquarter), Graz and Wels , the PCCL envisions also a valuable impact and contribution on the regional development by enhancing the attractiveness as business locations for domestic and foreign investors, and for spin-offs and start-up companies.

Further information: www.pccl.at