Discussant session 1.8
Progress needs to be measured in order to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Indicators are applied in the measuring process. The quality of those indicators are critical, because the outcome of the assessment will be quoted at different forum.
Indicators should be realistic and measurable. At the same time, as said in the paper, indicators have a potential to address real issues in a universal language. This means that it is a delicate work to identify and formulate them in order to be certain that they assess the right thing. We don’t want them to be questioned. Due to this one has to be certain that the applied indicators illustrate what they are said to do. So how do the presented indicators support the process of developing an efficient ERA in order to promote an European knowledge based society?
The ambition of ERA is to spread the benefits of strong research environments across all member states (MS) and ensure that the fifth freedom is well functioning. Research environments have to be competitive, which requires excellence. Therefore, it is important that the proposed indicators are implemented and applied at the MS level as well to achieve concordance.
In this context there is a need to address broad ERA central issues. Major points which need to be addressed are identified – MS framework conditions, policy decisions and roadmaps, R&D efficiency and public expenditures.
In the present paper there are indicators for four types of concerns – national policy (A1), joint/coordinated policies (A2), ERA making (B) and ERA effects (C). Will these support the major points and overall aim for ERA?
The indicators are of particular importance for business and have to be developed in accordance with how “business think” in order to achieve the overall aim to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. All the ERA headline indicators are addressing key challenges and would benefit from understanding what business identify as key questions to be assessed.
The suggested stakeholders and policy forum are supported and should include representation from industry. There are different cultures and different agendas, which have to be appreciated and taken into account when one wants to strengthen Europe by applying indicators for measuring ERA.
Europe’s research systems need to be better synchronized and available in order to support the potential to increase the efficiency of R&D and generate incentives for funding and collaborations. The spill-over effects should be valued as well as the knowledge mobility. The obvious question to be asked by member states should be “What’s in it for us?” instead of asking “What’s in it for me?”.
Universities as well as industry will play an even more central role in a modern knowledge economy. The ability to spread knowledge through different kinds of collaborations will be vital. Therefore do the proposed indicators need to be developed with input from industry.