The significance of knowledge for economic activity has grown exponentially since the 1980s. The term 'knowledge economy' has become a much-used expression in recent years. Governments seek to develop policies that encourage the growth of knowledge intensive activities associated with modern business and competitiveness. Knowledge itself is regarded as the most important resource to drive economic progress in the 'new economy' and thereby lead to improved standards of living.

However, there is as yet little understanding of the nature and composition of the knowledge especially at a regional level.

The EURODITE project, in which this conference is happening,  will address this deficiency by examining the dynamics of knowledge in the economies of European regions to inform towards a knowledge-based society.

Agenda : conference Regions and “The knowledge Based Economy”

8.15 – 9.00      Registration

9.00 – 09.15    Introduction “The Knowledge Economy” , Stewart MacNeill, University of Birmingham

09.15 – 10.45  Panel Session 1 – Clusters, Regions and Knowledge

Chair and Moderator , Michael Steiner, Joanneum Research/University of Graz

Panelists:

Olivier Crevoisier, University of Neuchâtel , “Regional and Inter-regional Knowledge Networks and Relationships”

Maggan Dahlström, NORDREGIO , “Knowledge Dynamics in the Skåne Film Tourism Industry”

Karl Ritsch, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung - SFG, „Knowledge for Innovation – Improving regional innovation success by collaborative knowledge creation and sharing“

Gerd Holzschlag, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung - SFG, “Knowledge dynamics in the cluster landscape in Styria”

11.15 – 12.45 Panel Session 2 – Policy Lessons for the Knowledge Based Economy

Chair and Moderator, Christian Saublens, EURADA

Panelists:

Henrik Halkier, Ålborg University , “Policy Lessons from the Tourism Sector”

Robert Kaiser, Ludwig-Maximillians-Universitat Munchen , “Policy Lessons from the Biotechnology Sector”

Thomas Krauzer, Industriellenvereinigung Steiermark, “From shared knowledge to joint policy: how to streamline needs and interests of regional industry, research and politics“

12.45 – 13.00 Closing Remarks

Chris Collinge, University of Birmingham

Fee: The conference is financed under the 6th framework programme. The participation at the conference is free.

It would be a pleasure for us to welcome you at the conference. For organisational reasons we´ll please you to register for the concfercde. ( via an answer mail to this mail)

For any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Wolfgang Schabereiter,

Mariazellerstraße 1a, 8605 Kapfenberg, Austria

Tel: 0043-3862-21948-0

Tel- mobil: 0043-664-33 26 936

Fax: 0043-3862- 21948-90

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