Innovation: Consistent and continuous–the Finnish example
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Finland has developed a model for innovation with lessons for other small economies. Petri Lehto, Head of Innovation at Finland’s Ministry of Employment and the Economy, talks to Owen McQuade about the success of Finnish innovation policy. Innovation fits with the Finnish character according to Petri Lehto, Head of Innovation at Finland’s Ministry of Employment and the Economy: “Expect the worst and solve the problems.” The Finns regard themselves as problem-solvers, which Lehto believes comes from their geographical location in the north, where survival in the cold has...[full story]
Innovation: Intertrade Ireland
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012InterTradeIreland has a vision of how to achieve success in that area, according to Aidan Gough, Strategy and Policy Director. It involves creating a well connected all-island innovation system that puts enterprise at its centre that will ensure creative ideas are nurtured quickly and effectively. “Our aim is to have the island of Ireland recognised internationally as a centre of innovation excellence and to achieve this we have to create an island-wide ‘innovation ecosystem’.” Gough explains, “Open innovation is often seen as the preserve of larger firms with access to corporate...[full story]
Innovation: Edelman’s Robin Hamman discusses meaningful social media
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Using social media strategically can help organisations understand their audiences and develop new business. Edelman’s digital expert Robin Hamman talks to Peter Cheney about its potential. There is little point in ‘doing’ social media if it does not meet your business objectives, according to Robin Hamman. Too many organisations are ending up with a presence that’s not interesting and does not help its audience. “It is about the user,” he states. “It needs to be meaningful and it needs to result in measurable outcomes.” Robin Hamman is Director of Digital...[full story]
Innovation: Point merge–a new approach to air traffic control at Dublin
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Air traffic control in Dublin will adopt a new system this December to make arrivals more efficient. Peter Cheney visits the airport to find out more. Dublin Airport will become only the second airport in Europe to adopt an innovative air traffic management system, when it goes live on 13 December this year. Point Merge is being introduced as part of the TMA 2012 plan, a reorganisation of Dublin’s airspace undertaken by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). At present, flights leave Dublin on standard instrument departures (SIDs) and arrive on standard arrivals (STARs). ...[full story]
Innovation: Why Israel leads the way in R&D
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Israel is recognised as a world leader in research and development. eolas explores why. Disadvantaged by its small size, Israel’s scientific and technological policies are aimed at enhancing its competitive position. It has the highest R&D intensity in the world with gross domestic expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP at 4.7 per cent compared to 2.7 per cent in the United States and 2.01 in Europe. Private sector spend as a percentage of its GDP is 3.39 per cent compared to 2.01 and 1.25 in the US and Europe. However, since 2007 there has been a low average annual growth...[full story]
Innovation: Health Research Board
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012Health Research Board’s Chief Executive Enda Connolly outlines the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to health research. Given the economic challenges that we face over the coming years, it is essential that health research demonstrates the contribution it can make; not only for people’s health, but also in terms of driving innovation and efficiency in the health service and creating commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy. You will only fully reap the benefits of research if positive results are put into action. The Health Research Board (HRB) actively...[full story]
