Agenda for a Dynamic Economy: State Strategies for Innovation and Change. In a project for the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, SRI worked with the Council of State Planning Agencies (CSPA) to assist public and private leaders at the state level in understanding changing economic realities and developing more appropriate economic development strategies. This project produced practical guidance materials on such important development strategies as applying emerging technologies to mature industry, promoting entrepreneurship, targeting new technology development, and linking economic and human-capital development strategies.
Catalyzing Next-Generation Cluster Implementation. SRI was invited by The World Bank to present a workshop at an international conference on "Cluster Implementation for Practitioners." SRI presented recent research on identifying emerging clusters, attracting foreign direct investment to targeted gaps in clusters, and generating public/private support for cluster implementation.
Cluster-Based Economic Development Strategy for Iowa: SRI Identified opportunities in fast-growing, high-tech, high-wage industries and industry segments in Iowa, including the Biotechnology, Life Sciences, and Information Technology clusters. The team assessed Iowa’s competitiveness, and economic, technology and institutional infrastructure supporting the target industry clusters. SRI then created a strategic plan for Iowa to stimulate growth in those sectors, including public-private R&D partnerships, human resource development, and supply chain management strategies.
Community Support for New Enterprise Development. SRI undertook a unique technical assistance demonstration project in the state of Illinois to help communities support new enterprise by strategically developing public-private infrastructure that responds to the needs of new firms. The project took five demonstration communities in Illinois through a process by which they could identify potential entrepreneurs and market opportunities, evaluate how well existing providers met the needs of new firms, and design strategies to fill the unmet needs of new firms. The project led to the publication of the guide Community Support for New Enterprise Development, which is currently in use to assist other communities. A national conference was held to review the findings of this demonstration project.
Creating a New Economy for Maribor and Eastern Slovenia. SRI was asked by the Slovenian government to identify a set of industries where Maribor and Slovenia would have competitive economic advantages, and define an economic development program to support growth of these industries. SRI analyzed each of the existing industry clusters in the city and the city's economic foundations, and identified six industries in which the city had competitive strengths and growth potential. SRI laid out a long-term development program, helped the city organize an economic development organization, and assisted in applications for aid from European and international economic funding agencies.
Creating an Opportunity Economy: Integrated Strategic Plan for Austin, Texas. The Austin Chamber of Commerce asked SRI to assist in evaluating the city's long-term prospects for high-technology economic development and diversification. SRI benchmarked the Austin economy, identified issues of local concern, and formulated a long-range strategic plan containing recommendations on key economic, technology, infrastructure, and quality of life issues for the city. The final report served as a key part of Austin's successful economic development approach for more than five years.
Developing an Integrated Technology Strategy for the Optoelectronics Cluster of the Jena Region of Germany. SRI catalyzed the participation of the German government and industry leaders to design and assist in the implementation of a technology strategy to restructure Jena's optical and precision-instruments industry and diversify the economy. SRI benchmarked Jena's technical and industrial capabilities and identified new business opportunities and industry/government investment needs. SRI drafted an overall economic development plan integrated with a technology strategy, and a marketing program to attract foreign investment to the region.
Economic Effects and Feasibility Evaluation of the Earth Systems Science Plaza. On behalf of California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB), SRI’s Economics Practice and Higher Education Program joined forces to conduct a comprehensive feasibility assessment and impact study for an integrated Earth Systems Science Plaza at CSUMB. SRI assessed the viability and key elements of three components to be included in the Plaza – a new educational facility, an Earth Observatory (science museum), and a science business park – all utilizing CSUMB’s unique Earth systems science capabilities. SRI prepared a vision and roles for the Plaza, evaluated the prospective usage of the three components, revenues generated from them, and costs involved in order to determine the Plaza’s economic feasibility. SRI then prepared a detailed “roll-out” plan for bringing the Plaza to fruition. As a result of SRI’s analysis, the University is moving forward to implement the Plaza concept.
Global Benchmarking of Government Support for Technology-Based Industry. SRI evaluated the technology and industry support programs of two Asian nations, ten U.S. states, and four European countries. Included in the evaluation were venture capital programs, business incubators, university-industry research programs, technology-based industry parks, and technology education and awareness programs.
Government Support for Technology-Based Industry. For the ministry of Industry, Science, and Technology of Canada, SRI evaluated the technology and industry support programs of ten U.S. states, four European countries, and two Asian countries, that have had active technology-based economic development programs for over ten years. Included in the evaluation were venture capital programs, business incubators, university-industry research programs, technology-based industry parks, and technology education and awareness programs. SRI concluded that such initiatives can be effective in promoting regional development if they target specific industries for support, complement other regional resources, and include industry managers in direction and planning of the initiatives.
Industry Cluster-Based Economic Strategy for Chihuahau, Mexico. SRI worked with government and private sector leaders in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico to craft a cluster-based economic development plan. The SRI team assessed the state’s economic foundations, identified high potential industry clusters, and designed a series of growth-oriented initiatives to stimulate economic activities in Chihuahua.
Joint Venture: Silicon Valley. SRI mobilized and managed this public/private partnership dedicated to revitalize Silicon Valley's major industries. Working groups were organized to concentrate on eight industry clusters and six economic foundation areas. SRI coordinated the design of specific strategic initiatives in telecommunications, education, regulation, and other critical issues. SRI's work in stimulating and institutionalizing technology-based economic development in Silicon Valley has served as a prime example and benchmark for countless development efforts around the United States.
Multimedia Industry Cluster Development in Hollywood, CA. SRI identified business opportunities in multimedia entertainment and edutainment for Cluster Working Groups in Hollywood, CA. SRI found that presenting industry-specific business opportunities along with detailed benchmarking on industry-specific economic foundations engendered significant interest in the Cluster Working Groups. SRI was able to catalyze private sector commitment to the cluster process by serving as the "research arm" of the Working Groups.
Palm Beach County Industry Cluster Development Strategy. In 1997-1998, SRI International prepared an industry cluster development strategy for the Business Development Board (BDB) of Palm Beach County. Under the project, SRI identified the cluster industries driving the Palm Beach Economy – Medical & Pharmaceutical Cluster; Communications & Information Technology Cluster; Agribusiness Cluster; and Tourism, Recreation & Entertainment Cluster – and crafted competitiveness strategies for each industry cluster. In preparing the strategies, SRI organized cluster focus groups comprised of public and private sector stakeholders, and facilitated the creation of Cluster Working Groups to develop implementation steps with milestones to enhance cluster competitiveness. The SRI project provided both an action plan and forward momentum to assure implementation to enhance Palm Beach County's global competitiveness.
Target Industry Cluster Strategy for the State of Iowa. SRI developed a cluster-based economic development plan for the State of Iowa. SRI identified high-growth, high-wage industries and industry segments, assessed regional competitiveness, and developed a technology-driven, cluster-based development plan for the state economy. The project team assessed the competitiveness of eight major industry groupings, and proposed public/private partnerships in areas such as research and development, business modernization, skills development, and supply chain management. SRI assisted in the formation of working groups, and facilitated sessions to craft action plans.
The “Illinois Model” of Technology-Driven Economic Development. For the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs of the State of Illinois, SRI developed the “Illinois Model,” a “techonomic” economic development model based on the fusion of technological and economic forces. Working closely with Illinois private and public sector stakeholders, the SRI team applied its cluster methodology to analyze the industrial structure of the state, identify key industry clusters with growth potential, and analyze the effectiveness of current state programs and initiatives in encouraging technological and economic development. SRI also conducted a comprehensive benchmarking exercise to assess Illinois’ technological and economic foundations and performance vis-à-vis other U.S. states.
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