Innovation tool examples AWOTmethod Innovation strategy Miika Kajanus

Innovation tool examples: AWOT-method Innovation strategy Miika Kajanus Suceava 8. 4. 2008

AWOT method • SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis provides the basic frame for the analysis • Multi Criteria Decision Support (MCDS) methods assist in carrying out SWOT more analytically and in elaborating the results of the analyses so that decisions can be prioritized also with respect to the entire SWOT.

My background: Research and Innovation Manager in Ylä-Savo Region • Ylä-Savo Regional Centre Programme • Savonia University of applied Sciences, Kuopio University and Oulu University • Mission: • Transfer Research Knowledge to SMEs • Start R&D projects with SMEs • Enhance the Regional Innovation System www. savonia-amk. fi

Ylä-Savo Region

YLÄ-SAVO REGION • Ylä-Savo region is located in central Finland as the • • northernmost part of province of North Savo. Ylä-Savo consists of the town of Iisalmi (21 000 inhabitants) and the surrounding rural districts. 60. 000 inhabitants, 3. 000 enterprises, 1. 000 farms, 10. 000 forest owners The main sources of livelihood come from services and food, wood and metal industry. The region has a powerful background based on dairy production with forestry as a supplementary source of income on the farms.

Challenges • Small region and narrow knowledge capacity • Challenging location (far from markets and knowledge centres • Multiple and diversified enterprises • Some enterprises world class top enterprises in their markets, some top national, majority local market enterprises; majority SMEs, only couple of units belonging in bigger companies (owners and key persons lives in Ylä-Savo!) • Practically no existing innovation culture (however, many success stories), trust and ability to cooperate • Ageing and supply of skillful workforce • Competing globally in “know hunting” • How market oriented innovation actions can be integrated into other development actions

Markets GTK METLA MTT VTT Other research institutes strategy Savonia-University of Applied Sciences Ylä-Savo Professional College Pohjois-Savon Savo Professional College Employment and Economic Development other educational institutes Centre TEKES Kuopio Technology Centre Teknia Ldt. Finnvera Iisalmen Ponsse Ldt. , Veljeskoti Ldt. Normet Ldt. Health and well-being Finpro Ylä-Savo success programme 2007 -2013 Ylä-Savo Regional Centre Programme 2007 -2010 Regional Development Programmes National Research, Development, Technology and innovation programmes Lissabon strategy and Other EU’s programmes Innovation actions production/ organization Sector / industry organizations Kuopio university Oulu university University Centre in Kajaani - Global - National - Regional Market position ENTERPRISE International Knowledge Centres National Knowledge Centres -Universities, research organizations, other expert organizations Technology Ylä-Savo enterprise centered innovation environment production chains Position in value chains Own resources / capabilities Ylä-Savo Industry Association. examples the enterprises: KIBS-enterprises Wärtsilä Findomo Ldt. Alueosuuskunta Enterprise associations Biobower Ldt. Jokeri Talot Ldt. Promilk / Valio Camber of commerce Metal and Energy and Forest cluster mechanical engineering environment Mini-cluster expert and advisory boards Milk products Ylä-Savo Development Company Ldt. Iisalmi, Keitele, Kiuruvesi, Lapinlahti, Pielavesi, Sonkajärvi, Varpaisjärvi, Vieremä Pohjois-Savo county, Eastern Finland Region Finland European Union investors Inventor associations

How strategy was composed • During the year 2006 • Open discussions of stakeholders • Industry involvement by miniclusters • Web-based discussion forum available

Regional innovation strategies: aspects to Ylä-Savo => Need to invest in local knowledge centres to make existing stronger and to establish new ones. However, this is not enough, there is a need for: 1. Enterprises who understand markets have to be in more central position! 2. Fast search for targeted knowledge for enterprises’ international projects! 3. Focus on the core of the issue: how innovation projects can be effectively executed!

Target of the innovation strategy International knowledge networks Value chains Miniclusters Foodstuff Milk Industry Special vehicles and equipments Research Development Market and technology information integrated and transferred into business Building and interior Bioenergy Environment Services Health and Well-being Education Innovation activities In enterprises and other organizations Tourism New / better: Products, services Processes, practices Organizations, networks Structures, business models Municipalities Public production New miniclusters Markets and demand Financiers Intermediators

Ylä-Savo innovation strategy: - basement: strengthening the existing miniclusters and establishing new ones Iisalmen Veljeskoti Ldt. basement: strengthening the existing miniclusters and establishing new ones Health and well-being Ponsse Ldt. , Normet Ldt. Wärtsilä Biobower Ldt. Metal and Energy and mechanical engineering environment Mini-cluster expert and advisory boards New miniclusters Findomo Ldt. Jokeri Talot Ldt. Forest cluster Alueosuuskunta Promilk / Valio Milk products

Ylä-Savo innovation strategy : 1) Effectiveness of the innovation actions 2) Innovation structures 3) Innovation culture and practices 2) Innovation structures 1) Effectiveness of the Innovation actions Iisalmen Veljeskoti Ldt. Health and well-being Ponsse Ldt. , Normet Ldt. Wärtsilä Biobower Ldt. Metal and Energy and mechanical engineering environment Mini-cluster expert and advisory boards New miniclusters Findomo Ldt. Jokeri Talot Ldt. Forest cluster Alueosuuskunta Promilk / Valio Milk products

Ylä-Savo innovation strategy 2007 – 2013 Focus and action plan Objectives 1 Effectiveness of the innovation activities 1) 1) Effectiveness of the innovation activities 2) Strengthening the innovation capacity of the region 2) 3) 4) Executing the innovation projects of enterprises', organizations' and private people Innovation services Innovation toolbox) Innovation indicators and measurement, follow-up of the strategy Expected effects • More and better innovations faster • Better competitive advantages • Strengthened existing knowledge centres and new established • Region learn better capability to enhance enterprises in fast hunting of targeted information from global sources and in producing those into innovations • Region internationalized and is attracting new skilful people and capable enterprises 2 Innovation structure and environment 1) 2) 3) 4) Strengthening existing knowledge centres Establishing new knowledge centres Structures enabling fast hunting of targeted information. Innovative environments 3 Innovation culture and practices 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Innovation culture and practices Cooperation and networking Strengthening Innovation capabilities Cluster borders. Internationalization.

Ylä-Savo innovation strategy 2007 – 2013: ”Instead of speaking about innovations it’s time to take actions: renew products, services and practices for market needs – also in public sector; with best partners, local and international; … and learn to do it better by doing it!”

Innovation Foresight: RPM - Robust Portfolio Modeling • http: //www. rpm. tkk. fi/Envitec