Clusters are individuals - VDI/VDE-IT

2.3.1.7 Context of the program
Asked to assess the importance of the program on a scale
from 0 (not important at all) to 4 (very important) in relation
to the overall economic/industrial development strategy
and in relation to other R&D/innovation programs the program
authority assigned a 3 to each of the two dimensions
(see table below).
The NCE program has its foundation in overall strategic policy
documents. This includes in particular the Norwegian White
Paper No. 20 (2004-2005) on Commitment to Research which
has emphasized the stimulation of innovation through cooperation
between companies and knowledge leaders within a
limited geographic or business area. The NCE program is one
the key initiatives in this regard. In a 2005 status report of the
government on innovation policy the program was specifically
referred to as a new tool of innovation policy.
How important is the cluster program in relation to… 0 1 2 3 4
…the overall national economic/industrial development strategy • • • X •
…other R&D/innovation programs • • • X •
0 = not important at all ==> 4 = very important
Table 26: Relevance of the NCE program in the overall policy setting
Asked about the coordination of the NCE program with
other support programs of the country program officials
reported a good coordination with R&D programs, while
coordination with business development programs and
infrastructure programs seems to bear potential for further
improvement (see figure below).
Established as a joint effort of the government agencies Innovation
Norway, the Industrial Development Cooperationof
With R&D programs
4
3
2
1
0
With business
development programs
With infrastructure
programs
0 = coordination is weak ==> 4 = coordination is strong
Figure 33: Coordination of the NCE program with other Norwegian funding programs
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