Abstract
This study presents a how-to-do-guide on technology foresight for regional economies to orient future investigations on this under-investigated topic. Through quantitative and qualitative methods, the study identifies a list of 24 relevant technologies in mechatronics, which has been chose for its relevance in the regional economy that is addressed by the present study. The prioritization of these technologies is based on both the attractiveness index and dynamism index. The attractiveness index is calculated by a triangulation of data (patent and patent citations, EU’s 7° framework, venture capitalists’ investments, and interviews) collected through multiple databases. The dynamism index measures the increase of patent intensity through time. A ranking of 24 technologies is identified according to these two indexes.
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Notes
- 1.
In detail, the selection shows these Ateco codes: 28 Manufacture of machinery and equipment; 26.20 Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment; 27.11 Manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformers; 28.23.09 Manufacture of office machine and devices; 33.20 Installation of industrial machinery and equipment.
- 2.
Years after the patent publication is a proxy of the period useful for a possible citation of that patent.
- 3.
Founded in 1910, Confindustria is the main organization representing Italian manufacturing and services companies.
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Acknowledgments
This work was developed with the cooperation of many researchers at the University of Bergamo and entrepreneurs. The contribute of Confindustria Bergamo, which is the main organization representing manufacturing and services companies in the Province of Bergamo, has been extremely important both in the definition of the research design and in its implementation. In particular, we owe special thanks for the continuous support and feedback to Massimo Longhi, Sara Pavesi, Mauro Sampellegrini, and to the member of the Innovation Commission and its President Gianluigi Viscardi. A number of experts have been involved in the development of this study. Among them, we would like to express gratitude to Paolo Ernesto Crippa (Jacobacci & Partners), Sergio Lorenzi (Soluzioninventive), Sergio Mascheretti (ITM Consulenza), and Mario Salerno (Fondazione Filarete). We are grateful to David B. Audretsch, Marcel Hülsbeck, Erik Lehmann, Nashid Nabian for useful discussions. Andrea Signori, Sara Crotti, Livio Mangiarotti, and Katrin Migliorati provided excellent research assistance. We acknowledge the financial and technical support provided by Associazione ProUniversitate Bergmonesi, which financed the research and helped in the dissemination of the results through several activities. Further information and the full research document is available on the website of the CISAlpino Institute for Comparative Studies in Europe (CCSE) at www.cisalpino.eu.
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Bassani, G., Minola, T., Vismara, S. (2016). Technology Foresight for Regional Economies: A How-to-Do Guide. In: Audretsch, D., Lehmann, E., Meoli, M., Vismara, S. (eds) University Evolution, Entrepreneurial Activity and Regional Competitiveness. International Studies in Entrepreneurship, vol 32. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17713-7_18
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