Themes

Regions

Competitiveness 

"Globalisation and technological change mean that regions and localities need the tools and incentives to build on their indigenous assets so that they can respond quickly to changing economic circumstances if they are to increase prosperity". Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration.

Enhancing the competitiveness of regions and of businesses lies at the heart of economic development strategies within both the UK and the EU. Yet the challenge remains on how to deliver this.

Regions are increasingly the engines of the global economy. At the heart of successful regions are competitive firms. But competitiveness is more than just a strong economy - it is also about the distribution of the benefits of economic success. 

ECOTEC can help you: 

  • Assess the strengths of the business base in the area;
  • Understand the strength of the region's capacity for R&D and innovation, and how this can be improved;
  • Understand how skills and expertise can promote competitiveness;
  • Analyse the strengths of your region and compare it with others;
  • Develop evidence-based strategies for promoting competitiveness;
  • Develop practical bids for funding from national and European initiatives;
  • Support the implementation of programmes and policies. 
  • Assess the impact of policies, interventions and future trends - through application of the REMI-ECOTEC Model

 

ECOTEC acts at the interface between firms and regional governance. We advise on interventions that might support the development of a competitive firm base in order to promote a sustainable higher standard of living across the region. 

We operate at all policy-making levels, so our key local knowledge is informed by a deep understanding of European, national and regional priorities. 

We can deliver the full range of our services in any of our regions in this theme.

Service Portfolio: Criteria for Success in Cluster Development

A recent emphasis in regional economic development has been to nurture clusters of firms.  A flurry of activity in this area culminated in a call for national support to direct and aid such work. In response, the DTI commissioned ECOTEC to undertake a study to establish the success criteria for cluster development and shed some light on what works.

 

Based on an international meta-analysis and engaging the expertise of leading industrial academics, our study produced an assessment of the CSFs in cluster development from the experience of working with clusters across the world.

 

Our analysis resulted in guidance for cluster policy makers at national, regional and sub-regional level on framing policy interventions and designing and implementing cluster support strategies founded on a robust appraisal of the likely success of a cluster.

 

Our work has meant that there is now a greater awareness and understanding of cluster development among policy makers and practitioners in the UK and abroad.

jag.pabla@ecotec.com
+44 121 616 36 00


Other projects in this Portfolio