ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 2015
ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study the challenge of evaluation in the context of syst... more ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study the challenge of evaluation in the context of systemic innovations in which services are a core element. The paper argues that the traditional evaluation methods and measures are not able to capture neither the diversity of innovations in services and systems nor the multifaceted dimensions of performance resulting from these innovations. In order to contribute to a more purposeful evaluation practices and methods, a new combinatory approach is suggested based on multi-criteria and system dynamic perspectives. This approach is illustrated in the context of environmental services, using an environmental data platform as a case example.
ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute to the debate on the success factors of peripheral regions... more ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute to the debate on the success factors of peripheral regions in the knowledge economy. It explores the viability of the knowledge-based development model for peripheral regions by examining the experiences of a follower region in Finland. The empirical case is Seinäjoki region in Western Finland which adopted a determined knowledge, research and innovation-driven development strategy in the 1980s. The article analyses the evolution of this strategy and assesses the progress and results that have been achieved until 2012. The results show that the strategy has improved the preconditions and structures for innovation, but there have been difficulties in turning these into real innovation outcomes. Peripheral regions may benefit from a knowledge-based development strategy but the development is slow and only takes place through building base capacity in the region.
and policies are confronted by many interrelated factors, including large socio-economic structur... more and policies are confronted by many interrelated factors, including large socio-economic structural problems, globalisation, pressure to provide public research funding and changes in research communities driven by the Mode 2 paradigm. These changes challenge sectoral public research organisations (PROs). The role of universities and other policy organisations in innovation policy has been studied at length but there has been little investigation of PROs, despite their signifi cance in developed and developing economies. This article fi lls this gap by exploring PROs in Finland, an open, industrialised and export-dependent economy. It draws several conclusions about the current state and future prospects of PROs in Finland. PROs are in transition in terms of their organisational, managerial and funding structures and their role in the internationalising national innovation system. Their rationale, legitimacy and strategies are also changing due to national innovation driven missions and internationalisation strategies. All PROs in Finland now engage in international cooperation. However, despite increasing funding from international sources and the globalisation of many aspects, PROs are still national organisations subject to national policies and governed by national bodies. Finnish PROs need to redefi ne their strategies at the international and European levels without forgetting their national role.
Publikationsansicht. 56245836. Academic research in change : transformation of Finnish university... more Publikationsansicht. 56245836. Academic research in change : transformation of Finnish university policies and university research during the 1990s (2005). Nieminen, Mika. Abstract. Zugl.: Helsinki, Univ., Diss., 2005. Details der Publikation. ...
Tiedepolitiikka Nr.1, 7-18 Artikkelissa tarkastellaan niin sanottujen välittäjäorganisaatioiden r... more Tiedepolitiikka Nr.1, 7-18 Artikkelissa tarkastellaan niin sanottujen välittäjäorganisaatioiden roolia julkisissa tutkimusorganisaatioissa tuotetun tutkimustiedon kaupallistamisprosessissa. Välittäjäorganisaatiot ovat organisaatioita, joiden tehtävänä on tukea tutkimuksen kaupallistamista ja tiedon hyödyntämistä kuten erilaiset kaupallistamisen tukipalveluita tarjoavat yksiköt ja kehityspalvelut yliopistoissa tai niiden lähellä, patenttitoimistot, alueelliset kehitysyhtiöt, teknologiakeskukset ja yrityshautomot. Nimensä mukaisesti ne toimivat tutkimusmaailman ja yritystoiminnan välimaastossa. Artikkeli esittelee tiivistetysti vuosien 2006 ja 2009 välillä Valtion teknillisen tutkimuskeskuksen (VTT) ja Tampereen yliopiston toteuttaman tutkimuksen keskeisiä tuloksia (ks. laajemmin Konttinen, Suvinen, Nieminen 2009).
This study examines collaboration between public research institutes, universities and polytechni... more This study examines collaboration between public research institutes, universities and polytechnics in Finland, paying special attention to factors restraining or hindering collaboration. The study was organized as a qualitative interview study and completed by using questionnaire data. Interviews were conducted in four different collaboration contexts. Altogether 31 persons were interviewed. Data from two questionnaire studies on the collaboration of research institutes and higher education institutions were utilized: a study by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and a joint study by the Universities Finland UNIFI, the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, and the Council of Finnish Research Institute Directors. In addition, document material and statistics were utilized. The study indicates that public research institutes have more collaboration with universities than with polytechnics. Universities, however, have more polytechnics as collaboration p...
The evaluation examined the Research and Innovation Council’s duties, operation and impact as a b... more The evaluation examined the Research and Innovation Council’s duties, operation and impact as a body that supports decision-making and is part of the research and innovation system. The evaluation focused on the Council’s activities in 2005–2012. As international reference bodies for the Finnish Council were used its counterparts in Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands. The evaluation material consisted of interviews with Council members, key stakeholders and representatives of the Council’s secretariat, an extensive survey targeted at the Council’s stakeholders, documentation and international reference material. General internationalisation, globalisation of the economy and increasing complexity in society pose challenges to the Council’s activities. These trends are reflected in the contents of the research and innovation policy and the Council’s operating methods. Key observations made in the evaluation include the following: -- The Council has an important role as a body that b...
Julkaisussa tarkastellaan systeemisen innovaatiotoiminnan ja muutosten taustaa, dynamiikkaa sekä ... more Julkaisussa tarkastellaan systeemisen innovaatiotoiminnan ja muutosten taustaa, dynamiikkaa sekä vaikutusmahdollisuuksia luomalla katsaus teemaa käsittelevään tutkimuskirjallisuuteen. Systeemisellä muutoksella viitataan laaja-alaiseen toimintamallien, rakenteiden ja näiden vuorovaikutuksen samanaikaiseen muutokseen. Systeemisyyden luonnetta lähestytään kolmen tutkimussuuntauksen kautta. Ensimmäinen niistä koskee innovaatiojärjestelmien tutkimusta. Se pohjautuu pitkälti institutionaaliseen ja evolutionääriseen taloustieteeseen sekä tieteen ja teknologian sosiologiaan. Toinen tutkimussuuntaus on liikkeenjohdon sekä teknologiajohtamisen tutkimus, jossa näkökulmana on yrityksen liiketoiminnan ja tuotekehityksen organisointi. Kolmas tutkimussuuntaus, sosioteknisten järjestelmien muutos, on näkökulmista laajin, ja se pyrkii käsitteellistämään yhteiskunnallisen ja taloudellisen muutoksen luonnetta sekä luomaan käsitteitä kokonaisvaltaisten siirtymien hallintaan. Kysymys innovaatiotoimintaa...
Throughout Europe, there has been a drive to increase the human capital content of the labour for... more Throughout Europe, there has been a drive to increase the human capital content of the labour force while holding government spending in check. The policy changes in many countries have followed similar directions. The UK and Finland are, however, often seen as being at the ...
ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 2015
ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study the challenge of evaluation in the context of syst... more ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study the challenge of evaluation in the context of systemic innovations in which services are a core element. The paper argues that the traditional evaluation methods and measures are not able to capture neither the diversity of innovations in services and systems nor the multifaceted dimensions of performance resulting from these innovations. In order to contribute to a more purposeful evaluation practices and methods, a new combinatory approach is suggested based on multi-criteria and system dynamic perspectives. This approach is illustrated in the context of environmental services, using an environmental data platform as a case example.
ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute to the debate on the success factors of peripheral regions... more ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute to the debate on the success factors of peripheral regions in the knowledge economy. It explores the viability of the knowledge-based development model for peripheral regions by examining the experiences of a follower region in Finland. The empirical case is Seinäjoki region in Western Finland which adopted a determined knowledge, research and innovation-driven development strategy in the 1980s. The article analyses the evolution of this strategy and assesses the progress and results that have been achieved until 2012. The results show that the strategy has improved the preconditions and structures for innovation, but there have been difficulties in turning these into real innovation outcomes. Peripheral regions may benefit from a knowledge-based development strategy but the development is slow and only takes place through building base capacity in the region.
and policies are confronted by many interrelated factors, including large socio-economic structur... more and policies are confronted by many interrelated factors, including large socio-economic structural problems, globalisation, pressure to provide public research funding and changes in research communities driven by the Mode 2 paradigm. These changes challenge sectoral public research organisations (PROs). The role of universities and other policy organisations in innovation policy has been studied at length but there has been little investigation of PROs, despite their signifi cance in developed and developing economies. This article fi lls this gap by exploring PROs in Finland, an open, industrialised and export-dependent economy. It draws several conclusions about the current state and future prospects of PROs in Finland. PROs are in transition in terms of their organisational, managerial and funding structures and their role in the internationalising national innovation system. Their rationale, legitimacy and strategies are also changing due to national innovation driven missions and internationalisation strategies. All PROs in Finland now engage in international cooperation. However, despite increasing funding from international sources and the globalisation of many aspects, PROs are still national organisations subject to national policies and governed by national bodies. Finnish PROs need to redefi ne their strategies at the international and European levels without forgetting their national role.
Publikationsansicht. 56245836. Academic research in change : transformation of Finnish university... more Publikationsansicht. 56245836. Academic research in change : transformation of Finnish university policies and university research during the 1990s (2005). Nieminen, Mika. Abstract. Zugl.: Helsinki, Univ., Diss., 2005. Details der Publikation. ...
Tiedepolitiikka Nr.1, 7-18 Artikkelissa tarkastellaan niin sanottujen välittäjäorganisaatioiden r... more Tiedepolitiikka Nr.1, 7-18 Artikkelissa tarkastellaan niin sanottujen välittäjäorganisaatioiden roolia julkisissa tutkimusorganisaatioissa tuotetun tutkimustiedon kaupallistamisprosessissa. Välittäjäorganisaatiot ovat organisaatioita, joiden tehtävänä on tukea tutkimuksen kaupallistamista ja tiedon hyödyntämistä kuten erilaiset kaupallistamisen tukipalveluita tarjoavat yksiköt ja kehityspalvelut yliopistoissa tai niiden lähellä, patenttitoimistot, alueelliset kehitysyhtiöt, teknologiakeskukset ja yrityshautomot. Nimensä mukaisesti ne toimivat tutkimusmaailman ja yritystoiminnan välimaastossa. Artikkeli esittelee tiivistetysti vuosien 2006 ja 2009 välillä Valtion teknillisen tutkimuskeskuksen (VTT) ja Tampereen yliopiston toteuttaman tutkimuksen keskeisiä tuloksia (ks. laajemmin Konttinen, Suvinen, Nieminen 2009).
This study examines collaboration between public research institutes, universities and polytechni... more This study examines collaboration between public research institutes, universities and polytechnics in Finland, paying special attention to factors restraining or hindering collaboration. The study was organized as a qualitative interview study and completed by using questionnaire data. Interviews were conducted in four different collaboration contexts. Altogether 31 persons were interviewed. Data from two questionnaire studies on the collaboration of research institutes and higher education institutions were utilized: a study by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and a joint study by the Universities Finland UNIFI, the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, and the Council of Finnish Research Institute Directors. In addition, document material and statistics were utilized. The study indicates that public research institutes have more collaboration with universities than with polytechnics. Universities, however, have more polytechnics as collaboration p...
The evaluation examined the Research and Innovation Council’s duties, operation and impact as a b... more The evaluation examined the Research and Innovation Council’s duties, operation and impact as a body that supports decision-making and is part of the research and innovation system. The evaluation focused on the Council’s activities in 2005–2012. As international reference bodies for the Finnish Council were used its counterparts in Denmark, Austria and the Netherlands. The evaluation material consisted of interviews with Council members, key stakeholders and representatives of the Council’s secretariat, an extensive survey targeted at the Council’s stakeholders, documentation and international reference material. General internationalisation, globalisation of the economy and increasing complexity in society pose challenges to the Council’s activities. These trends are reflected in the contents of the research and innovation policy and the Council’s operating methods. Key observations made in the evaluation include the following: -- The Council has an important role as a body that b...
Julkaisussa tarkastellaan systeemisen innovaatiotoiminnan ja muutosten taustaa, dynamiikkaa sekä ... more Julkaisussa tarkastellaan systeemisen innovaatiotoiminnan ja muutosten taustaa, dynamiikkaa sekä vaikutusmahdollisuuksia luomalla katsaus teemaa käsittelevään tutkimuskirjallisuuteen. Systeemisellä muutoksella viitataan laaja-alaiseen toimintamallien, rakenteiden ja näiden vuorovaikutuksen samanaikaiseen muutokseen. Systeemisyyden luonnetta lähestytään kolmen tutkimussuuntauksen kautta. Ensimmäinen niistä koskee innovaatiojärjestelmien tutkimusta. Se pohjautuu pitkälti institutionaaliseen ja evolutionääriseen taloustieteeseen sekä tieteen ja teknologian sosiologiaan. Toinen tutkimussuuntaus on liikkeenjohdon sekä teknologiajohtamisen tutkimus, jossa näkökulmana on yrityksen liiketoiminnan ja tuotekehityksen organisointi. Kolmas tutkimussuuntaus, sosioteknisten järjestelmien muutos, on näkökulmista laajin, ja se pyrkii käsitteellistämään yhteiskunnallisen ja taloudellisen muutoksen luonnetta sekä luomaan käsitteitä kokonaisvaltaisten siirtymien hallintaan. Kysymys innovaatiotoimintaa...
Throughout Europe, there has been a drive to increase the human capital content of the labour for... more Throughout Europe, there has been a drive to increase the human capital content of the labour force while holding government spending in check. The policy changes in many countries have followed similar directions. The UK and Finland are, however, often seen as being at the ...
Uploads
Papers by Mika Nieminen