Centre for Innovation Studies

This newsletter is published by The Centre for Innovation Studies in partnership with Calgary Technologies Inc. It's purpose is to communicate news and information of interest to individuals involved with innovation in Alberta active in industry, government or university.

Please forward this Newsletter to your colleagues and ask them to subscribe. It's free. To add your name to the distribution list, or to remove it, please contact info@thecis.ca. We invite you to participate in this newsletter by forwarding items you feel would be of interest to Newsletter recipients.

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RESEARCH
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Technological Life Cycles: regional clusters facing disruption
This working paper by Bent Dalum, Christian Ø. R. Pedersen and Gert Villumsenhe of the DRUID / IKE-Group, Department of Business Studies, Aalborg University studies the phenomenon of technological life cycles and "disruptive" technologies and their importance in in the development of regional clusters. Key features of a regional cluster are discussed in relation to economic development patterns and the emergence of new key technologies.

Deconstructing Clusters: Chaotic Concept or Policy Panacea?
This paper forthcoming in the Journal of Economic Geography, 3.1 by Ron Martin (University of Cambridge) and Peter Sunley (University of Edinburgh), challenge the notion of clusters or, agglomeration and specialization, as the appropriate tool for policy makers to use in considering economic development decisions. The authors argue that the well received work by Michael Porter on clusters is problematic and that it needs to be reconsidered as a construct of popularity rather than a guarantee of its profundity.

Growth and Evolution
A team of Researchers (Langford, Wood and Ross) at the University of Calgary have recently released a working paper entitled, "The Origins and Structure of the Calgary Wireless Cluster." This work comes as a contribution to the Innovation Systems Research Network (ISRN), a national collaborative research initiative studying a range of different industrial cluster formations in terms of innovation and economic development. The paper by Langford et. al. emphasizes the global and path dependent nature of the Calgary wireless cluster and discusses the importance of informal knowledge flows within their sample group.

The Rise of Innovation Surveys: Measuring a Fuzzy Concept
The Observatoire des sciences et des technologies (OST) has released a working paper by Benoît Godin that examines some of the historical methods for measuring innovative capacity among firms and why the OECD strayed from using the Oslo manual (1992) as a method for measuring outputs of S&T innovations. It briefly discusses the output approach to innovation measurement and the use of patents and industrial R&D as indicators of innovation. The second part examines the standardization of innovation surveys and the limitations of innovation survey statistics.

Educational Systems Influenced by New Brain Research
A new study released late September by the OECD entitled, "Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science," is shedding light on how the brain changes and grows in response to learning. With the help of new non-invasive scanning techniques, researchers are in a better position to understand the growth processes of the brain- how learning modifies the brain physically and increases the growth of new connections among neurons. This study points out that this research is important for policy makers and educators in relation to better informed decision making for programs in continuing education, facilitating employment for the elderly, treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression, as well as treating language and learning disabilities such as dyslexia.

"World Energy Outlook 2002"
September 21, 2002-- "The World Energy Outlook," was presented at the International Energy Forum in Osaka by Mr. Robert Priddle, executive director of the International Energy Agency. He claims that the world has abundant resources for the next thirty years however there is still a well-founded concern for the security, supply, and renewibility of those resources. The IEA's publication states that the exploitation of natural resources such as oil will require investments of trillions of dollars and that many people in smaller, less developed countries lack the access to modern energy. The "Outlook" calls attention to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions stating that energy-related carbon emissions will grow by 16 billion tonnes, or 70% above today's level. These emissions threaten to change the earth's climate decisively and OECD countries with Kyoto commitments will need to rethink their energy strategies. The study also includes detailed chapters on "Energy and Poverty," and one on China as the new "energy giant." The study predicts that the demand for world energy between now and 2030 will increase at a rate of 1.7% annually.

Reports From the European Research Areas
In January 2000, the European Commission proposed the creation of a European Research Area (ERA) and set out develop a Research and Technology Development (RTD) plan to examine scientific and technological activity for research policy in Europe. Five expert groups were established by the Commission to conduct research. Final reports are now available for download; Human resources in RTD (including attractiveness of S&T professions), August 2002; The Impact of RTD on Competitiveness and Employment (IRCE), August 2002; Public and private investments in R&D, June 2002; Benchmarking the Promotion of RTD culture and Public Understanding of Science, July 2002; Benchmarking S&T Productivity, June 2002.

Territorial Review of Canada
September 18, 2002-- The OECD released it's "Territorial Review" of Canada with recommendations to focus on regional development to sustain Canada's economy. The study indicates that Canada holds plenty of opportunities to expand regional growth that will create opportunities to sustain Canadian regions over the long term. An economic recovery is expected for second half of 2002, however the report indicates that growth has been stifled in many regions resulting from weak local governance.

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CONNECTIONS
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THECIS Innovation Club Workshop: "Nanotechnology - What's in it for me?"
Calgary, November 5, 2002
9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (Lunch included)
Please come out and join the THECIS Innovation Club in partnership with The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and Calgary Technologies Inc. to hear Peter Josty, Executive Director, THECIS, and Dan Wayner, Acting Director General, NINT, talk about exciting opportunities in Alberta for Nanotechnology.

Complexity Theory Models of Product Development.

Calgary, October 29th, 2pm

Dr Franken holds a PhD in SCience Dynamics from the University of Amsterdam, and is writing a book on an evolutionary model of product development due out early next year.

BioAlberta Technology and Research Symposium
Calgary, October 17 to 18, 2002
A two-day symposium organized by The Provincial Laboratory of Public Health (Microbiology) this October will focus on nanotechnology in medical microbiology, laboratory data as a surveillance tool, and research and innovation in the field of public health. Interested participants include microbiologists, research scientists, colleagues in agriculture and food sciences, infectious disease and regional public health practitioners, and partners in the academy.

The Alliance for Capitalizing on Change- Luncheon Series
Edmonton, Alberta, October 17, 2002
Calgary, Alberta, October 18, 2002
Canmore, Alberta, October 19, 2002 (full day event)
The October Provincial luncheon series is entitled "Three Dimensions of Sustainability Designing for Cultural Change." The Alliance for Capitalizing on Change brings John Ehrenfeld as the keynote speaker.

Alberta-Belgium Business Technology Forum
Calgary, October 22, 2002
The Alberta-Belgium Business Technology Forum aims to realize greater strengths in research, science and technology through strategic partnering in business. Industries and topics of particular interest include biotechnology, wireless, nanotechnology and technology commercialization. Both Alberta and Belgium will be represented at all levels of government, research, education and private high-tech companies.

Public/ Private Partnership for Improved Government Performance
Quebec City, October 24 to 25, 2002
This is an international conference organised by the Centre francophone d'informatisation des organisations (CEFRIO) and is designed to examine public-private sector collaborative projects. The event focuses on how public/ private partnerships can provide better services to citizens and businesses, as well as improve Government performance. The conference is of interest to IT managers and professionals, University researchers and government agents interested in this problem.

Towards Sustainable Product Design

This conference, organized by partners including the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, is the first focused on issues surrounding the planning and implementation of sustainable product development in transnational companies and SMEs.

2002 Conference - The Innovation Toolbox
Calgary, Alberta, October 31 to November 1, 2002
The Innovation Management Association of Canada (IMAC) will be holding a conference entitled "The Innovation Toolbox" highlighting some of the features of sustainable innovation. Keynote speakers include Francis Hartman, University of Calgary, John Kramers, Progrid Ventures, Roger Miller, Ecole Polytechnique, and Gonzalo Naranjo, Alterna Corporation.

Tolerance, Talent, Technology
Jasper, Alberta, October 31 to November 3, 2002
The Alberta Congress Board's 3rd Annual Workplace Conference in partnership with the Government of Canada, holds the theme, Tolerance, Talent, Technology: Getting the Job Done. The conference focuses on understanding new trends, worker profiles, and management and worker expectations in the workplace. Click Here to Register.

THECIS Innovation Club Breakfast: "Building a Culture of Innovation"
Calgary, Alberta, November 26, 2002
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Please come out for a hot breakfast and join us to hear speakers Tom Wood, President Mount Royal College, Ora Zabloski, Davies Park, Colin Jackson, President and CEO of the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, on Building a culture of Innovation.. Our three speakers will explore this issue from the perspective of industry, government and academia.

Knowledge Management Conference: Advancing Knowledge Management for Competitive Advantage
Toronto, Ontario, December 11, 2002
This event is put on by the Conference Board of Canada as part of the "Innovation Series 2002/03." The conference fully explores the issue of knowledge management— what it is and why it is critical to your organization’s success. Leading experts will talk about Canadian successes and take a look at where knowledge management is going.

The 6th World Congress on Intellectual Capital and Innovation
Hamilton, Ontario January 15 to 17, 2003
The World Congress on Intellectual Capital and Innovation is renowned globally for bringing together academic research and professional practitioners to present, discuss and review the current issues and trends in the areas of intellectual capital, innovation, knowledge management, new technology, intangible assets, human capital and organizational learning. Last year's conference boasted 425 delegates from 35 countries.

Incubation and New Ventures Conference: A Commitment to Entrepreneurship
Montreal, Quebec, January 22 to 23, 2003
Another conference part of the "Innovation Series 2002/03 by the Conference Board of Canada takes on discussion in the area of incubation and entrepreneurship- the formative years of new ventures. Examples of industry leaders in attendance include, members of corporations working with incubator concepts, representatives of industry associations, angel investors, venture capitalists and bankers, business and technology officers of universities, colleges, and hospitals, incubation and new venture consultants, and many others.

Knowledge, Economic And Social Change: New Challenges To Innovation Studies
Manchester, UK April 7 to 9, 2003
The goal of this conference is to bring together the innovation studies community to celebrate its role of knowledge creation and exploitation in driving economic and social change. The focus for the agenda will be the management of innovation and the development of new innovation policies, the themes and research questions they pose.

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INFORMATION
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New Opportunities for Entrepreneurs to Meet Their Match.
The Canadian Angel Investment Network out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has announced an online matching service where entrepreneurs seeking venture capital can connect with angel investors. This service is the first of its kind in Canada.

"SMART" Calgary Company Wins Prestigious Award
October 9, 2002-- SMART Technologies Inc. of Calgary, Alberta has been awarded the 2002 Canada Export Award for achieving excellence in international competition.. The award was presented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Annual Conference in Vancouver, BC. SMART was one of ten Canadian companies to receive the award and is renowned world wide for its interactive white boards and other products.

Call for Papers
The European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (EIASM) has issued a call for papers for the 10th Annual International Product Development Management Conference in Brussels, June 2003. Abstracts for potential paper presentations are due November 1, 2002 (500 words). Submissions must make clear the purpose of the paper, its managerial focus, its reference to existing literature, the research method and empirical base. Submissions should be sent to Graziella MICHELANTE, EIASM - Conference Manager, Rue d'Egmont- straat 13, 1000 Brussels BELGIUM - Tel: +32 2 5119116 - Fax: +32 2 512 1929 - Email: michelante@eiasm.be.

New Research Chair at the University of Alberta
A new Research Chair in Advanced Coal Cleaning and Combustion Technology has been announced at the University of Alberta. The Research Chair has been designated $ 1.9M and is aimed at increasing efficiency and decreasing the environmental impacts of coal. The Chair will also address the current academic deficiency in coal-related research in Alberta and Canada. Victor Doerksen, Minister of Innovation and Science hopes that this Chair will aid in the development of acceptable and sustainable resources for the 21st Century.

"Towards a Culture of Security"
In response to increasing concerns of security and awareness when using and interacting with information systems, the OECD has put forward recommendations for
"building a culture of security." The "Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems and Networks: Towards a Culture of Security" were adopted and released after the council's 1037th Session on 25 July 2002. The guidelines apply to any participants working and interacting in the new information society and recommend plans to focus on the development of information systems and networks, and the adoption of new ways of thinking and behaving when using and interacting within information systems and networks.

More Funding for Research and Innovation in Alberta
Over $10.6 million in funding for economic development, research and innovation in Alberta was announced late September. Industry Minister Allan Rock and Senator Joyce Fairbairn (Special Advisor on Literacy to Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart) delivered the message as part of the Calgary summit on Canada's Innovation Strategy. Funding is to be allocated to the development of e-learning technologies; broadband networks in education for remote learning, an aeronautical training facility, and the development of the Network for Emerging Wireless Technology (NEWT)- a world-class test centre for wireless products and applications.

Alberta's New Energy Strategy
The Provincial government has released its new energy strategy through the AERI. Several goals have been identified in energy research areas to aid in moving Alberta into the new energy economy. Goals include utilising cleaner energy sources, upgrading technologies, CO2 management in energy production, improved oil and gas, and working with fuel cells and hydrogen. The plan states that Alberta has capacities for the development of renewable technologies in the areas of biomass fuels, wind energy, and solar power. The report predicts that by 2010 integrated energy companies should be able to provide clean and competitive energy service to the consumer.

"Implementing Canada's Innovation Strategy"
The Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), Ottawa's economic development centre, has released its plans for implementing Canada's Innovation strategy. In working with the federal government the OCRI plans to ensure the innovation strategy is in line with regional needs. The document outlines eleven recommendations for meeting the goals of implementation and stresses their commitment as a regional body to "accelerate the pace of innovation, attract
investment, stimulate job creation and generate wealth.”

New Online Journal
The Richard Ivey Business School of The University of Western, Ontario has started a new online journal. Subscription to the Ivey Business Journal (IBJ) online is free, click here for subscription information.

AERI Newsletter
The Alberta Energy Research Institute has started a newsletter this month. the AERI works with government ministries to promote innovation and technology that will aid in the strategic development plans of Alberta's dynamic energy sector. Click here to view the October edition.

WD Funding for Edmonton Wireless E-Health Applications
Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development) announced $575,000 in funding for an "E-health Edmonton Project." The project aims to develop physiological monitors that will help in wellness management and illness prevention and will set the stage in developing the global telehealth industry. The project is a joint partnership between the University of Alberta, Seiko Instruments Inc., MI Laboratories Co., Televital Inc., and nine other local organisations.

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QUOTE "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."
-- Charles Darwin

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