Kick-Off Meeting - Second Effective Global R&D Focus Group

01.07.2011

Kick-off Meeting of the new Effective Global R&D Focus Group

27 June 2011, Paris

Summary

This one-year Focus Group aims to boost understanding of how to manage R&D and innovation as global, increasingly “Open” activities, specifically to address opportunities provided by an emerging economy like Brazil which is part of the group of BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) enjoying significant economic growth rates.

The goal of the Focus Group is getting a better understanding of effective innovation practices in a changing world in which R&D is becoming more and more global and in which new and sizeable actors are emerging. As particularly new issues the Focus Group to Brazil will identify the portfolio of instruments to shape, structure, steer and manage global R&D and innovation in use at companies who are active in business R&D in Brazil. The role of the Government and its initiatives and programmes to enhance technology and innovation and the business expenditure on R&D (0,5% of GDP in 2008) in Brazil will be part of the group’s analysis. Another focal point will be human resources in science and technology, diversity and gender issues and the global acquisition of top talents in research for the firms.

The group will highlight the good practices and explore the situations and the types of company for which such practices are most relevant. The intention is not only to focus on classical multinational companies actively investing in R&D in Brazil but also looking at that country’s own multinational companies who are extending their R&D network into their respective international markets.

The Effective Global R&D Focus Group represents a new format within the EIRMA offerings to its membership with equivalent quality and value as the traditional Working Groups. A first and very successful round with this new format was completed in 2009 with India as the focal country and of which the Final Report “Achieving an Effective Global R&D Network” was completed and distributed.

The Focus Group will be responsible for formulating its concepts, then organising activities and studies which will test and refine these concepts. One learning expedition will be organised early 2012 to visit R&D and innovation centres in Brazil and share with people on the spot the lessons they have learned. The group will conclude by presenting its findings to senior membership at the 2013 EIRMA Representatives Round Table meeting.

Target Audience

This initiative is aimed at a small group of about 15 people. Most participants will be in their 30s – early 40s, work in the middle management levels of their companies, have the capacity to contribute well, and will benefit by developing their strategic understanding of effective R&D and innovation management.

Full-time support will be provided by the EIRMA office by a full-time member of staff, Rita Li, who is studying for her PhD and by Co-Chairman Dr. Dietmar Theis, Honorary Professor of Technical University of Munich and former Siemens. The academic expertise will be provided by Prof. Dr. Philippe Laredo, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

The cycle is evolutionary and will be directed by its members. We seek participants who will be able to take part in the full package of events (i.e. around 6 complementary meetings in total and one learning trip), although it will be possible on an exceptional basis to take part only in some activities. To enrich the debate and for more effective sessions, participants may be involved in information gathering and specific studies between meetings.

Chairman

Dietmar Theis (formerly Siemens, honorary professor at the Technical Univ. Munich)

To Register

Detailed programme and registration form for the Kick-Off Meeting is available below.
Please return the registration form by mail or fax by 20 June 2011 at the latest.

Programme and Registration Form - Kick-Off Meeting

To participate to the Focus Group programme, please see the general programme and registration form below:

Programme and Registration Form for Focus Group