Innovation cluster, such as TEC, are organized groups or structures of independent parties (small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises, research and knowledge dissemination organizations, NGOs, other economic related actors, relevant public authorities etc.), intended to stimulate innovative activity and to promote common utilization of equipment in exchange for expert knowledge through effective contributions on knowledge transfer, establishing connections, information dissemination and collaboration between enterprises and other cluster organizations.
These are the explanations regarding this concept given by Rodica Lupu, TEC Cluster Director and CEO of Loop Operations within the Freedom of Trading and Communication Coalition (CLCC) webinar, held online on 4th which had the theme The impact of construction projects upon economic development.
Digitalization, transverse theme
“Our main objective is to rise competitiveness in the Romanian construction industry, but we also have many other sub-objectives. Digitalization is a transverse theme in our field of action. BIM (Building Innovation Modeling) implementation is an important project for us, a distinctive project. Generating training programs on every qualification levels, focused on digitalization and innovation. Generating research/innovation training programs in partnerships with universities and research institutes. We wish to develop an innovative business incubator in constructions and also a center for technological transfer. Financing the industry with European funds through national and international programs. And last but not least, internationalization through partnerships made with umbrella organizations or even with other European countries’ companies from markets that are of interest for the Romanian industry” explained Ms. Lupu.
The more, the merrier
“I would like to mention that if SMEs act independently, they hardly can assure a level of predictability and strategic technological advancement that will assure long term competitiveness. At the same time, public policies can be influenced just through a common course of action”, has also said Ms. Lupu
Regarding the need of well trained and specialized human capital for the industry, she says that this level of education can only be acquired through partnerships.
Other benefits: “Clusters have the role to address new markets and to make access on new markets easier. It’s been brought up a lot about public policies and how important is common course of action to influence public policies. Being part of a cluster, information and financing actions are superior and much faster. Clusters bring added value to organizational culture in order to innovate better and efficient. The cluster is by itself a support structure that offers access to other national or European support structures.”
Basis: quadruple spiral of innovation
“Everything has been based on this quadruple spiral of innovation. Sometime ago it was a triple spiral but it was noticed that innovation can only be achieved only in ecosystems, namely, in active ecosystems that participate simultaneously in all these 4 environments: the private sector, research and innovation environment which consists in universities, research institutes, collaborative platforms of this type; the public sector, meaning the government, public institutions and other institutions of this type; and the associative sector, which can be represented by any kind of associations that can be part of companies but also of the civil society which we must interact with and receive input about the level of innovation.
Who can be a part of TEC Cluster
TEC Cluster is made of 11 of industry’s chain value SMEs, from the research environment, Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti, and the associative sector FPSC and CSC. “In the mean time, other associative structures are joining us and becoming members of the cluster. Within the public sector we initiated debates with different authorities but have not concluded yet which relevant authorities we want to be part of the cluster; we have opened dialogues with central authorities and local ones. Beside founding members there are already numerous organizing and facilitating companies. We have membership requests from all 4 sectors”, said Ms. Lupu.
Efficiency proven by studies
Ms. Lupu has invoked a study done by the European Commission on 51 industries, that showed a rise of 4,67% in development regions in which exists clusters with a medium level of efficiency. “Unfortunately in Europe there is no cluster in the construction industry that has a high efficiency and development level, only medium and low. Between regions in which there are no clusters and regions where there are clusters with a medium level of performance, we already talk about a difference of about 30% on a 7 years period” has also said Ms. Lupu.
CLCC branded webinar
The moderate debate held by Constantin Rudnitchi, Executive Director of CLCC, aimed at the construction’s industry situation regarding the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of this period, the solutions and technologies used to meet clients’ needs and also the impact of this industry on economic development.
The event was organized by CLCC (forum that reunites approximately 2000 companies that consider economic, trade and communication freedom to be fundamental in a democratic society) in partnership with Federation of Employers of Construction Companies (FPSC). The latter sustains and protects its members’ interests and aids information and experience exchanges, strengthens relationships with national and international professional organizations, promoting loyal competitiveness, constructors’ image and their role in society.
https://www.clcc.ro/rodica-lupu-director-cluster-tec-si-ceo-loop-operations-principalul-obiectiv-este-cresterea-competitivitatii-in-industria-constructiilor-din-romania/