Skill development services & business models for cluster organizationsTor-Arne Bellika

Academic Summit: Innovation and business models in clusters

5 September 2013

2http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-layers.euhttp://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-layers.eu

Learning LayersScaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters

Skill development services & business models for cluster organizations

Addressing skills and jobs challenges in Europe through skill services in Cluster Organizations.

Tor-Arne Bellika, Innovation Performance AS, NorwayGilbert Peffer, CIMNE Barcelona, SpainLudger Deitmer, ITB, University of Bremen, Germany

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3http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-layers.eu

The challenge & the research

• Problem addressed:– Massive unemployment in EU-27

– lack of skilled talents for young SMEs- the real job creators of Europe

– Can we develop the right skills faster?

• Our research:– Mapped basis for services and business

models in clusters and regions in relevant literature.

– Studied skill services and business models in groups of clusters in three regions.

– Next phase:

• detailed mapping of services, revenues and business models for skill services in clusters

• Layers: an FP 7-Integrated R&I project– nov 2012 until nov 2016/13 mill Euro budget.

4http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-layers.eu

Clusters are core in addressing European skills challenges.

• Growth SMEs increasingly organize in clusters

• 67% of EU-27 business employment in SMEs

• Young SMEs are the job creators of Europe– 85% of net new jobs in EU 2002-2010 were in

SMEs

– New SMEs, younger than 5 years, responsible for majority of new jobs.

– Most new jobs require advanced skill sets.

• Cluster organizations service breath and intensity directly influence SME impact.

• Skill shortage is #1 growth barrier for many clusters.

Source: EU SME Performance Review Oct/2012

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Theoretical framework

• Innovation gap model (Linqvist & Sölvell)– Cluster organizations as service providers

– Funding logics of cluster organizations

• Disruptive innovation model (Christensen)– cluster organizations as disruptors in learning

services?

• Learning region model (Nyhan et al)– How do regions develop ability to learn faster

in times of increased specialization?

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Research questions

• Barriers for the «cluster as a service provider» model?

• How important are skill service revenues for cluster organisations?

• Can cluster organizations be disruptors in skill services?

• Barriers for use of ICT in skills services in clusters?

• What are the necessary expansions of current models of cluster organizations and their funding logics?

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Most important findings

• Skills services has big potential as major funding source for cluster organizations

• Mature cluster organizations drive renewal of skill development in their region

• New services integrate informal @work and formal learning and initial and continued education

• Lack of «cluster commons» a BIG barrier to improved skills development in regions.

• Rigid business models are major barrier for more use of ICT in skill services

• Service development and funding logics for cluster organizations need detailing.

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Cluster org funding logics model basis for researching business models

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Recommendations and Implications

• Promote regional cluster to cluster collaboration in skill services and regional sharing of service platform elements.

• Broaden target groups of cluster program skill services beyond cluster management teams to create shared «cluster commons» in regions.

• Standardize measurement and track % self funding for all cluster organizations.

• Promote use of ICT in skill services and increased focus on informal @work learning

• Promote joint skill service development and shared regional platforms

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-layers.eu

Contact info

• Tor-Arne Bellika, – CEO Innovation Performance AS.

• Learning Layers: www.learning-layers.eu

LinkedIn: no.linkedin.com/in/torarnebellika/Mobile: +47 90538842email: tab@i-perform.no