Developing regional clusters and networks

Conference in Berlin presents intellectual capital reporting as a new tool for cluster managers and policy makers / Developing regional clusters and networks / November 15th 2007

Cluster are a popular policy tool: Many cities and regions support networks of companies and science in specific branches and technologies to boost innovation and regional development. But the successful management of such knowledge-intensive networks is challenging: Cluster managers and policy makers need sound information to formulate strategies, monitor success and communicate their networking activities. Appropriate tools for the management of clusters are therefore gaining importance.

Within the RICARDA project researchers and practitioners from Austria, Sweden, Hungary and Germany have explored the potentials of intellectual capital reporting for regional networks during the last two years. This method was originally developed for private companies. Intellectual capital reports support management and policy makers developing cluster initiatives by highlighting the intangible assets of networks: What know-how do members bring to the network? How do they cooperate? Of what quality are the networks linkages with important stakeholders?

At the final conference, 15 November 2007 in Berlin, approach and results of the project will be presented and discussed. Network managers in the fields of automotive, IT, virtual reality and polymer science will report on their experiences with intellectual capital reporting. In addition to that the "RICARDA manual" will be presented - a practical guide about how to draft intellectual capital reports. Finally, the European Commission will present new activities in the field of cluster management.

Participation in this one day event is free of charge. The number of participants is limited.

Programme and registration via Internet:
http://www.ricarda-project.org
http://www.ricarda-project.org/news/ricarda.programme.pdf
http://www.difu.de/english/

Contacts:
Dipl.-Verw.Wiss. Daniel Zwicker-Schwarm, Telefon: 030/39001-154, E-Mail: zwicker-schwarm@difu.de
Dipl.-Geogr. Holger Floeting, Telefon: 030/39001-221, E-Mail: floeting@difu.de

Venue and Time:
Ernst-Reuter-Haus
Straße des 17. Juni 112, D-10623 Berlin
09:00 h to 17:30 h