How to approach the future?
The active approach – Building a cluster
Alina Lidén
Blekinge Institute of Technology
How to build a cluster
 First stage: identifying a problem (problemsolving)
1) to tackle the declining number of students
2) marketing
 Action: In 2007 Lund Technical University and
Ericsson initiated a collaboration – the Mobile
Heights
Mobile Heigts
 MH is a public-private partnership by Ericsson
Mobile Platforms (EMP), SonyEricsson, Lund
Technical University and Region Skåne –Sweden
 Based on the Triple Helix principle
 The cluster’s vision is
to establish Mobile Heights as a world-leading centre for mobile
communication to energise mobile telephony throughout its entire value chain,
in other words, hardware, software and services, as well as research,
innovation and entrepreneurship
How to build a cluster
 Second stage: Planning
 From cluster-building to innovation platforms
 It is no longer only about creating clusters but about
creating platforms for the existing clusters to crossfertilize; to enable cross-collaborations between
clusters
 This implies that policy makers need to adopt new
roles
A vision of dynamic Skåne
The vision of a dynamic Skåne is characterised
by the will to succeed. The key is to create an
achievable picture of a future that inspires,
challenges and energises sustainable
development work throughout the region. The
vision must provide advantageous guidelines
for residents and businesses, and encourage
outsiders to visit – again and again.
How to manage the future?
 F(initial conditions, concepts)
Upgrading the existing structure
 Initial Conditions
One of the largest local industries, employing approx. 16 000
people, and hosting some of the leading companies in the
field
 Concepts
Triple Helix
Cluster
Innovation Platform
Conclusions
Same strategy, however different logics
Deal with the future or deal with a problem
Whose future?
The future of a company, the future of an university,
the future of a region etc
Planning to plan or planning to act?
Vision versus action-plan