Key Findings and Implications of the European ICT Poles of Excellence Project

Abstract

The European ICT Poles of Excellence project aims to identify ICT R&D&I-related activities which are geographically concentrated and which demonstrate high performance in ICT innovative activities: the European ICT Poles of Excellence. It also aims to help map the dynamics of ICT-related innovation and economic geography in Europe, pointing to the presence and possibly the emergence of agglomerated and globally performing ICT activities. This policy brief offers a synthesis of the major findings of the EIPE study. It also provides some insights into the policy implications these findings indicate. The study found significant evidence to show that Europe hosts a small number of highly ICT intensive regions, i.e. EIPEs. Together they participate in a networked ecosystem made up of very strong hubs in the global ICT innovation system and a multifaceted periphery with local and global links. Despite the highly specific nature of each of these regions, including the European ICT Poles of Excellence, whose characteristics vary considerably, their identification and analysis offer some strong implications for policy.