IDEIS, a project initiated by a team of Caen University researchers in the field of Human and Social Sciences, is taking stock of innovative processes in Lower Normandy’s SMEs and SMIs. The project’s results are supplying data to the DRI - Diagnostic Régional d’Innovation (Regional Innovation Diagnosis), currently underway. Explanations.

DRI - Regional Innovation Diagnosis

DRI - Regional Innovation Diagnosis
“Within the framework of the implementation of ERDF programmes for 2007-2013, the European Commission has actively encouraged regions to perform this assessment, in order to consolidate their regional strategy,” explains Fabrice Salemi, in charge of the service for innovation and technology transfer at the Regional Council. Consequently, as early as June 2008, Lower Normandy launched its own auto-evaluation, involving both Regional and State authorities. The DRIRE (Regional Directorate for Industry, Research and Environment) has sought assistance from two specialised consultancies (ITD.EU and Technopolis) for the development of the (DRI) Regional Innovation Diagnosis(1).

Since early 2008, a team of Caen University researchers, reunited within the MRSH (Caen University Research Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences), has been closely examining innovative processes within Lower Normandy’s SMEs and SMIs. “Innovation is often a sign of a healthy business, in all of its fields of activity: Human Resources, organisation, financial management,” highlights Olivier Gaussens, economics professor at Caen University and in charge of IDEIS - Interdisciplinary Project for the Development of Enterprise, Innovation and Strategy. The project, incorporated within the research programme entitled “Hommes, mémoires et développement” (Men, memory and development), in turn within the framework of the State-Region Project Plan for 2007-2013, aims at developing a platform of knowledge in the field of innovation and enterprise.

Working towards a regional innovation strategy

Several dozens of “face to face” interviews have been organised with business leaders, in the hope of gathering a representative sample of Lower Normandy’s SMEs(1)… This painstaking task has involved State and Regional authorities and services, who are jointly working towards the Regional Innovation Diagnosis (DRI). “The great advantage of the IDEIS project is that it provides the Regional Innovation Diagnosis with the business leader’s viewpoint and offers an overview of his/her specific needs, via direct questioning,” highlights Mélanie Harasse-Martin, research officer at the Lower Normandy Regional Council.
Both initiatives’ preliminary results were presented at the Forum de l’Innovation (Innovation Forum) last July. Four leading priorities were brought to light: the need to consider “innovation growth areas”, to reinforce non-technological innovation, to clearly and markedly direct initiatives towards business needs and to implement a “project by project” management approach for all structures involved in the innovation process. And to follow the diagnostic phase, strategy is next on the agenda. “These four key priorities will form the basis of the regional strategy currently being developed,” explains Marc Litzenberg, Industrial Development Project Coordinator for the DRIRE. The very first concrete action could well be launched by the year end. “IDEIS is offering the Human and Social Sciences department an opportunity to restructure,” concludes Olivier Gaussens, “And to fulfil its role as a decision-making tool for public authorities.”

(1) 98 Lower Normandy-based SMIs (10 to 250 employees), a representative sample in terms of size, activity sector and employment area.

> Olivier Gaussens
Economics Lecturer at Caen University,  member of the Economics and Management Research Centre (CREM UMR 6211,UCBN)  In charge of the IDEIS project
Tél : 02 31 56 51 70.
Site : Université de Caen Basse-Normandie

> Fabrice Salemi
In charge of the Service for Innovation and Technology Transfer, Lower Normandy Regional Council.
Tél : 02 31 06 96 78.
Site : Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie

> Mélanie Harasse-Martin
Innovation Research Officer,Lower Normandy Regional Council.
Tél : 02 31 06 89 19.
Site : Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie

> Marc Liztenburger
Chargé de mission Développement Industriel, Direction Régionale de l’Industrie, de la Recherche et de l’Environnement de basse-Normandie,
Tél : 02 31 46 50 19.
Site : DRIRE

Send post as PDF to