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Newsletter September 2008
Q&A: Ken Taylor: The Finnish approach to innovation
Ken Taylor has had a long career in R&D, working with Unilever in
the UK and Holland and then as Technical Director of Rio Tinto Borax.
From 1998 until 2006, he was the University of Surrey's Special Advisor
on Industrial Collaborations. He has built links with Finland over many
years, particularly with Kuopio
in central Finland, which has developed as a leading hub for health
technologies. He has been board member of the Finnish
British Chamber of Commerce and in
2002 was made a Knight First Class of the White Rose of Finland
for his services to Finland.
For
many years, Finland has headed the league table for innovation, investing
over 3% of its GDP in R&D. Below, Ken answers some questions on
Finland's approach to innovation.
Finland consistently comes out at the top of world rankings for innovation.
What do you think is driving this?
Finland has an integrated national policy that is effectively communicated
and implemented. All sectors of society - government, industry, academe
and largely the general public - understand the need for their small
country to develop a leading knowledge based economy that is competitive
and sustainable.
Is the Finnish model transferable to the UK? Or are there
features of Finnish culture which make it unique?
In principle the model is transferable but in practice it draws upon
aspects of both history and culture that make direct transfer difficult.
The major recession of the early 90’s forced Finland to examine
its priorities and one of the brave things it did was to increase expenditure
on R&D. Finland now has one of the highest R&D expenditures
as a percentage of GDP in the world, 3.6%. It has also recognised that
as a small country with limited natural resources, timber being the
exception, its future relied on using its knowledge. It has made education
and health two top priorities.
How important to innovation are structural features such
as science parks and clustering?
The Science Parks are an integral part of the innovation engine in Finland.
They are more usually known as Technology Centres and there are over
20, represented by a single organisation called Tekel.
In addition there are more that 60 incubators and a number of centres
of excellence. There is very close integration with the universities
and polytechnics and the guiding hand of government policy determines
what the regions and clusters will develop as priorities.
What
actions could we take to improve the level of innovation in the UK?
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We have to have a single, simple; winning message that can appeal
to all players in the innovation engine.
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We have to re-examine whether regionalisation helps or hinders Innovation
in the UK
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We have to rid ourselves of small-minded failures, be they government
initiatives, excessive planning, risk averse institutions and individuals.
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We have to shed aspects of national arrogance and learn effectively
from small players such as Finland, Netherlands etc
Finally,
could you give any examples of Finnish culture which have surprised
you ?
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The warmth and affection Finns have for where they were brought up.
Many I know want to come back and live and work in their home town
or locale.
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Most Finns take between I and 2 months off for summer holidays, all
at the same time. Finland does not come to a halt and they remain
one of the world's most competitive countries. ??
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