Supporting sustainable regional innovation and ecodesign in SMEs • context• a practitioners perspective on SMEs• the SMEs perspective • recommendations for future strategies

Wales• devolved administration of UK (1998)• historically, manufacturing and mineral based

industries • currently, service sector and lower volume, value

added production • statutory obligation to promote sustainable

development

“We aim to encourage ecodesign and sustainable production and consumption in Wales”Environment Strategy for Wales 2026, Welsh Assembly Government, 2006

Ecodesign Centre Walesestablished in September 2006

small team of 5 (designers and engineers)

our role build capacity and capabilities so that effective ecodesign can happen in Wales

supporting ecodesign and sustainable innovation in SMEs

a tale of two cities?

or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

negative

• lack of managerial and operational resources (including time, cost, skills)

• failure of SME managers to act strategically – insular and autonomous

• lack of awareness, training, and motivation

• low absorptive capacity

• uncertainty and poor appropriability

• “public-good” nature of investment in ecodesign

positive

• simple capital structure

• entrepreneurial orientation / spirit

• flexible decision making structures

• organisational flexibility

• close trust-based relationships with suppliers or subcontractors

• needs based ad-hoc training

incremental v.s. radical v.s. disruptive v.s. sustainable

what about SMEs in Wales?

phase 1

phase 2• select over 30 SMEs

• combine key companies from stage one with design led SMEs

• 3 concurrent workshops to explore

• existing perceptions on ecodesign and sustainable business practice

• required internal/external competencies

• Cardiff Business School (LEED Unit)

• “Design for growth survey” “potential growth index”

• identified and ranked 250 businesses (sample of 2056)• managerial prioritisation of environmental issues• innovative capacity• skills development and training• networking

general observations

SMEs

• need inspiration to engage with ecodesign– non-standard drivers

• expect local knowledge from BSOs or intermediaries• benefit from long-term relationships (not dependency)

– negotiating risks, building capacity• benefit from partnerships

– industry as service provider• listen to appropriate language• require flexible financial support

recommendations (for Wales or similar)

• identify of focus areas for intervention – (innovation systems perspective)• create platforms for the open sharing of knowledge and experiences• build capacity in existing/current business support infrastructure• embed ecodesign and sustainability in higher/further, professional

training, etc• build capacity in the indigenous design sector• establishing a culture of policy learning

thank you

questions?