In the previous post I talked about the < em>need to focus more on our scientific, technological and sectoral betsas a way for an intelligent specialization policy (here). Some readers have suggested to me that it is as important or more important than the need to focus is to discuss how this can be done, because they consider, and I completely agree, that it is extremely difficult and complicated for public managers to stay on course and withstand the effort and political tension that prioritizing involves.
Here are some of my thoughts:
In the first place, I believe that targeting should arise from the public-private pact and commitment which means that the selection of the country’s lines of specialization must be carried out jointly between all agents in the system, taking into account public interests, but above all those of private agents who are the ones who really know the market and its needs. The experience of public-private collaboration in the Basque Country is a great advantage in this direction and the partnerships articulated around the boards of technology and research centers must be used as privileged platforms to work in this line.
Secondly, to arbitrate intelligent specialization, as meeting points and transversal lines of collaboration and joint work of the main agents of the Basque Science and Technology System.Universities with their Departments most closely linked to business competitiveness, the technology corporations (Tecnalia and IK4) and the CICs have to strengthen their joint work, delving into the selected country lines, integrating and strengthening the knowledge chains (basic science, applied science and innovation). . The work carried out in the past around strategic research projects is a good starting point and should be used as a point of engagement and reference.
Thirdly, adapt the promotional instruments in this direction. In my opinion, the current system is excessively complex and does not fit well with smart specialization and it would seem very opportune to simplify the current system of structural financing of the Basque Science and Technology Network based on a new paradigm
- That marks a clear market orientation in the medium and long termin the context of a substantial improvement in business competitiveness.
- That clarify and specify the lines of intelligent specializationthat arise from the public-private pact.
- That encourages collaborative, joint and networked work among Basque agents within the framework of fluid and extensive international collaboration around knowledge chains defined by the lines of specialization.
- That it be results-oriented in line with the Emaitek program and that, as far as possible, guarantee long-term work programs .
- That integrates clear private co-financing commitments to guarantee the public-private agreement and commitment and as the most appropriate way to guarantee the market orientation of structural research of the system.
In this way, we robustly combine smart specialization and the repeatedly proclaimed need to restructure the Basque Science and Technology Network with a clear strategic objective that is none other than Strengthen and guide the set of capacities and turn them into the competitiveness of the Country.
The journey will be long and complex and, of course, it cannot be used as an excuse to withdraw funds from the system, but rather as extraordinary motivation to increase the public and private investment effort, guiding it and making optimal use of the capacities of the singular potential of the Basque Network of Science, Technology and Innovation.