Competing in the Single Market - SMEs and ... - Erhvervsstyrelsen

RecommendationsBased on the challenges identified in the above section, we present here some general and specificrecommendations for policymaking. It should be pointed here that, rather than claiming to provideabsolute truths or to constitute an exhaustive list, these recommendations should be seen, andare intended to serve, as starting points for constructive and action-oriented discussions amongpolicymakers, experts and stakeholders in the B4 on possible future policy directions and initiatives.1. Strengthening policymaking:a) Improving the formation, coordination, organisation, implementation and evaluation ofpolicies• Adopt a horizontal, innovation system perspective• Include stakeholders in the policy formation process (triple helix task forces with a clearmandate to recommend policies / reforms / initiatives)• Improve mechanisms for evaluating policies during their implementation, and thusintegrating evaluation into the policymaking process, rather than merely carrying outformalistic evaluations after the factb) Supporting policy learning• Create fora for structured high-level policy exchange and learning (both within countries andbetween countries)c) Adjusting policymaking (institutions, organisation and processes) to the demands of aknowledge-based, innovative economy and society• Evaluate the innovative capacity of the public sector and policymaking institutions• Adopt strategies for improving ‘innovation in the public sector’ (recruitment strategies,decision-making processes and organisational structures, incentive structures, team-buildingissues, etc.)• Assess / design / adjust public procurement strategies to ensure that public procurement isefficient, effective and contributory to strengthen the national innovation system; publicprocurement can have a critical impact on the national innovation system, either promotingor hampering strategic technological development in a country, through the sheer size ofmany public procurement contracts (e.g. software solutions used by public sector) and throughits signalling effectd) Improving methods and data for measuring and comparing innovation performance.2. Improving the access to knowledgea) Strengthening the national science base• Develop strategies for government expenditure on R&D based on an innovation systemapproach (see, for example, the role and mandate of the Swedish Agency for InnovationSystems, Vinnova, or Tekes in Finland; an example of Vinnova’s programmes can be found inBox 15)• Examine the possibility of creating national centres of excellence in specific areas89