Meeting by the Monitoring visit of Research Executive Agency (REA)

1. Meeting by theMonitoring visit of Research Executive Agency (REA) 12th of September2012, Wrocław FOLSPEC FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND BENCHMARKING FOR THE EU AND BEYOND) CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

2. The FOLSPEC Countries Bulgaria, Sofia Poland, Łódź Russia, Novosibirsk Slovakia, Banska Bystrica Ukraine, Tarnopil CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

3. The FOLSPEC Institutions CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl Project Coordinator: University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Bulgaria Project Partners: University of Lodz (UL), Poland MatejBel University BanskaBystrica (UMB), Slovakia Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science (IEIE SB RAS), Russia Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Russia Ternopil National Economic University (TNEU), Ukraine

4. FOLSPEC– General Description Project Number and full title: FP7-PEOPLE-2011 IRSES 295050 Functioning of the Local Production Systems in the Conditions of Economic Crisis (Comparative Analysis and Benchmarking for the EU and Beyond) (FOLSPEC) Scientific Panel - ECO Duration – 36 months (April 1st 2012 – April 1st 2015) Total budget – 571,900 euro Overall objective - FOLPSEC aims at deepening the theoretical studies on LPS and to encourage their practical implementation, thus meeting the challenges related to the world crisis overcoming, CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

5. The FOLSPEC Objectives Research & Practice To exchange knowledge on research approaches in studying LPS (research theses and micro-theses, as well as hypotheses for their acceptance/rejection) and to make recommendations for EU good practices implementation in the conditions of economic crisis; To share partners’ results on LPS functioning concerning economical and social regional acceleration and relative overcoming of regional disparities; Knowledge use To make use of knowledge gained and good practices identified for research and teaching purposes at all partner institutions; Lasting cooperation To establish long-term research cooperation between MS and Third countries and to strengthen research partnerships through staff exchange and network activities. CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

6. Main unit of analysis Local Production Systems (LPS) • geographical concentrations of economic, social and political actors • territorially-rootedstructures, based of dense interrelations (both formal and informal) • concentration around dominating sector(s) • important tool of supporting small and medium sized enterprises, as well as innovativeness • referring to many theoretical archetypes: clusters, industrial districts, innovative milieux, regional innovation systems, technological districts, etc.

7. Research objectives, scope and outcomes LPS within the local development context – nature, pre-conditions for establishment and development and classification; LPS typology according to: type of activities, intensity of internal and international cooperation, degree of concentration, particular competences; Comparative analysis on LPS organization in MS and in third countries; Benchmarking. CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

8. Work Packages (WPs) WP1 “Exchange” – TNEU WP2 “Research & Training” – UL WP3 “Scientific Meetings” - IEIE SB RAS, UMB WP4 “Dissemination” – NSU WP5 “Management” - UNWE CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

9. WP1 “Exchange” Objectives Provision of reliable basis for knowledge transfer Effective implementation of the overall mobility scheme (Gantt chart of secondments) Monitoring of the mobility scheme implementation Deliverables 6-month mobility reports over project’s life-time CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

10. WP2 “Research & Training” Objectives Carrying out exchange of experience Producing high quality research materials Deliverables 23 joint training activities Development of bibliographical database 2 monographs and 10 scientific articles produced Information and materials published on the web site CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

11. WP3 “Scientific Meetings” Objectives Providing a platform for direct exchange of scientific ideas and concepts Development of FOLSPEC scientific content Approval of FOLSPEC scientific output Good practices identification Deliverables 6 scientific meetings 6 study visits Information and materials published on the web site Approved list of research materials to be produced CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

12. WP4 “Dissemination” Objectives Identification of target groups for dissemination of the project results Raising awareness and establishment of durable contacts with target groups key representatives Performing dissemination activities Preparation of materials for the FOLPSEC web site, its launching and regular up-date Deliverables Communication and dissemination plan Website with two sections Printed materials Participation in conferences, workshops and seminars 30 press releases and publications in partners’ journals CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

13. WP5 “Management” Objectives Ensure overall strategic, administrative, financial management and coordination of the project Ensure everyday administrative/technical support to and coordination of all running activities Perform quality evaluation and management Perform risk analysis. Necessary corrective measures implementation Deliverables Risk identification, analysis and assessment plan 6-month risk assessment and evaluation report CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

14. FOLPSEC Governing bodies CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

15. Budget & Financial Issues Monthly secondment: 1.900 euro per researcher Monthly secondment after deduction of 10% management fee: 1.710 euro CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

16. Progress of the project in Poland 1st of May 2012: launch of the project in Sofia September 2012: 8 monthly secondments (incoming to Poland) realized Importantactivities in June-September 2013 in Poland: 1 joint training activity (JTA) at University of Łódź 3 working meetings at University of Łódź study visits in institutions supporting business and entrepreneurship: Łódź Special Economic Zone, Knowledge Transfer Center of the University of Łódź, Innovation Center – Technology Accelerator of the Foundation of the University of Łódź, visits in small communes in the proximity of Łódź (Uniejów, Poddębice, Pęczniew) assuring access to scientific databases available at UŁ: SCOPUS, EBSCO, Sciencedirect, Springerlink nad electronioc resources of University of Łódź. CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

17. Progress of the project in Poland (cont.) Till September 2012, 14.600 euro of the first quota sent to UŁ (127.300 euro, to be used till 30.09.2013) was transferred to the researchers Previously unused monthly secondments from Poland to Ukraine and Russia are planned to be used in 2013 CONCLUSION: project is at the initial stage: partners are getting to know with each other during scientific meetings and study visits, review of definitions of local production systems, analysis of quantitative and qualitative methods of studying LPS, assessment of institutional conditions for the functioning of LPS, discussing the structure of 2 monographs as main project outcomes first milestone: scientific visit in Novosibirsk in September 2013. when the structure of the 1st monograph as well as research agennda, will be accepted CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

18. Difficulties and challenges • Covering management costs Project demands outcomes that cannot be financed by UE. University of Łódź applied to Polish Ministryof Science and Higher Educationfor additional budget for such FOLSPEC deliverables as: seminaries, conference, printing materials and monographs, visits to partners from the EU, but decision has been not made yet. • Long term visits for large number of scientists Problem in Polish university system, overloaded by didactics, where 1month absence or even 1 or 2 lecturers from the Department disorganizes the work. • Procedural problems (invitation, visas) – is it really globalization?  • Intercultural differences Information flows, coordination, long time of working out common definitions and scientific terms etc., which are slowly being overcome • High costs of accommodationandliving in Russia (compared to rest of partners) Distance to Novosibirsk is much more longer than the width of UE area – in consequence transport costs seem to be underpriced  CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl

19. FOLSPEC FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND BENCHMARKING FOR THE EU AND BEYOND) Thank you for your attention CONTACT: Rositza Velinova, Ph. D., Sofia, Bulgaria: r_velinova@unwe.acad.bg Mariusz E. SOKOŁOWICZ, Ph. D., Łódź, Poland, sokol@uni.lodz.pl