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Orientating the Estonian economy towards high value-added production. Erik Puura University of Tartu Institute of Technology Director. CONTENT. Economy heating up Experience with top entrepreneurs Can researchers take initiative? Too much talking, too many strategies WAYS FORWARD:
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Orientating the Estonian economy towards high value-added production Erik PuuraUniversity of Tartu Institute of TechnologyDirector
CONTENT • Economy heating up • Experience with top entrepreneurs • Can researchers take initiative? • Too much talking, too many strategies WAYS FORWARD: • Technology sector centered approach • Training in IP management • Valorisation of entrepreneurship
Economy heating up • SIGNALS • Labour extensive foreign companies leaving Estonia • Real estate market stagnation • Salaries in public sector higher than in private • Trade deficite increasing
Experience with top entrepreneurs • FACTS • Tour in all Estonian counties: Äripäev TOP seminars • In half of the counties, none of the top companies have cooperated with universities and have no plans to do it • In Tallinn and Tartu region, not more than 10% cooperation among top companies
Can researchers take initiative? • DISCUSSION • Critical mass lacking – not enough that type of science, risk to continuence of education • Only 5% of professors might become good entrepreneurs • Examples could serve as training tools
Too much talking, too many strategies • STRATEGIES • Increase of R&D costs relative to GDP • ICT, biomedicine, nanotechnology… in every country the same PROBLEMS • No significant increase in private sector R&D • Potential of traditional sectors underestimated
3 unsolved objectives in Estonia
Technology sector centered approach • ONE KEY QUESTION TO ENTREPRENEURS AMONG KNOWLEDGE-BASED COMPANIES • Which activities would lead to - increased international competitiveness - increased number of workers - increased number of new companies in your segment of activity (eg ICT, biotech…) • The list should be analysed • I am sure these correspond to the strategies
Training in IP management • COMPETENCE IN INTERNATIONAL IP MANAGEMENT IS VERY WEAK • Experts with international networks imported for 5 years • Serving companies and research institutions, simultaneous training • Not only in high-tech sector
Valorisation of entrepreneurship • SCHOOLS TEND TO DIVIDE STUDENTS INTO • WINNERS AND LOSERS • Division based on study results, often given for knowing encyclopedia by heart • Entrepreneurship is based on art of using the knowledge, logic and risk • Many teachers still consider business as not appreciated activity