From Industry-University Cooperation to Research Brokering in Estonia

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors that determine effectiveness of broker activities in an innovations projects and

strengthening innovation capacity by introducing generic mechanisms for stimulating introducing of fresh ideas to industry.

Innovation in EstoniaEstonia has continuously invested into innovation activities and reached the position of innovation followers by 2011.

The share of innovative enterprises, 2008–2010

According to Statistics Estonia 56.8% of enterprises were innovative in 2010. An enterprise was considered innovative if during the last three years it had introduced to the market a new or significantly improved product.

Brokers role are necessary to bring partners together, motivate them, provide information, and organize space for negotiations.

The broker’s role

People who have connections with multiple groups that would be otherwise unconnected are known as brokers or bridges.

Enterprise Innovation platform

Internal Resources

Customers

Customers

Universities

External Resources

World brand

Suppliers

Enterprise Estonia (EAS)EAS is one of the largest institutions within the national enterprise support system , providing financial assistance, advisory, cooperation opportunities, research establishments.

Today, most of the EAS programs and grants offered are co-financed from the EU structural funds.

One of the directly supported programm is for production management consulting aimed at increase of efficiency and productivity of the company.

It was launched in 2011 after few pilot projects in 2010 that were very successful.

Established in 2000 year

Main functions of brokers compane

Brokers Company functions

Enterprise diagnostic

Analysis of the processes

Processes modelling

Lean methods offering

Contact with enterprise

Improvement suggestionsStaff learning

Specialists competence matrix In EAS was developed specialists competence matrix to map

areas of expertise that it can provide to companies. Strategical business planning Change managementManufacturing strategy Supply chain managementProcess management and improvement Quality Assurance, TQM5S ISO9001Lean production - concepts ISO14001Lean office ISO18001Equipment layout EFQM model7 Waistes Information technologyValue Stream Mapping Production planning and controlSet-up time reduction ERP/MRPKaizen - continuous improvement CAD - design and developmentTotal Productive Maintenance Equipment selectionQCD measures Project managementOrganizational structure changes Energy managementCultural change  

Diagnostics process

Improvement process

Program results as of May 2012

MEKTORYMEKTORY (Modern Estonian Knowledge Transfer for You) is initiated by the Tallinn University of Technology - Innovation and Business Center and the partner universities, the Estonian Academy of Arts and the Tallinn University of Applied Sciences.

It main goals are:•To support the innovation and development of TUT as practically as possible•To create frequent cooperation with international innovation platforms.•To be an acknowledged R&D partner for enterprises all over the world.

Mektory is focused mainly on practical science projects.