Institutional Change in Old Industrial Areas – Lessons for ... - UMAR

Foundations were partly endogenous, i.e. the share of founders from the region was
25%, partly only extensions (branches of existing firms with another location, 15%) or
relocations (40%).
Focusing on business park estate, the Technology Centre Kapfenberg was
established in 1993 with production halls for qualified young enterprises. Focal points
are new materials, laser technology and industrial installation to continue with the
tradition of metal processing and mechanical engineering in Kapfenberg. Future
projects include customised industrial installations for automation- and control
systems. Every located enterprise has already invented new technology or product
innovation and devotes to continuous R&D (see Hartmann et al., 1997, p.28 and
Steiner et al., 1993, p. 46ff.).
The Technology Centre Niklasdorf, founded in 1989 consists of a technology park,
the WIFI Schulungszentrum Upper Styria (vocational institution of the Chamber of
Commerce) and the Laser-Centre Upper Styria. Today it includes 12 enterprises plus
further 5 which are externally located. Focal points are new materials and electronic
data-processing, which were extended with laser technology. Key characteristics of
the centre are service-, consultation- and assistance services as well as modern
didactics in conjunction with the WIFI. Besides knowledge transfer, the centre
emphasis on motivation and contacts (see Hartmann et al, 1997, p.24 and Steiner et
al, 1993, p. 48f.).
The Unternehmerzentrum A.i.Z. Aichfeldzentrum (AIZ), an entrepreneurial centre and
founded in 1989 consists of 16 enterprises with over 90 employees. It offers
management- and finance consulting and focuses on environmental technology and
production-oriented services. Plans for further technological orientation and the
development towards a technology- and innovation centre are present.
The Joanneum Research Laser Centre Leoben, already founded in 1988, emphasis
the industrial application of the laser technology. Process – and production systems
are adopted in co-operation with the customers (Hartmann et al, 1997, p.32).
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