Changing tasks of Innovation intermediary organizations

Changing tasks of Innovation intermediary organizations Key words: innovation intermediary organizations, regional effect, motivation of innovation process' actors JEL Codes: O31 - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives O32 - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D My PhD research focuses on the efficiency of innovation intermediary organizations. In my presentation after I define the organizations and the innovation process as a special market, I would like to review their connections with regional and local actors and analyze their regional and local impact. Both assays are based on the human side of innovation. In the local impact analysis a specific practical example will be presented by exposing the current situation and innovation potential of a Hungarian middle sized industrial city, Dunaujvaros. Dunaujvaros has special possibilities to develop its innovation potential like the followings: * dominant and international steel company existing since the 1960's - industrial culture, creative class * the recent infrastructural developments - M6 highway, Danube-bridge * settling of two international (global) companies - Hankook Tire Ltd., Hamburger Hungaria Ltd. * developing and successful local middle-sized companies in the sector of building and electronic industries * existence of innovation intermediary organizations * well trained and experienced human resources in the field of innovation and innovation management * developing higher educational institute However Dunaujvaros can hardly capitalize its outbreak points and started to lose the above mentioned possibilities. How can an innovation intermediary organization help to stop this failure and help a city or a region to develop its innovation potential? In the presentation I wish to answer these questions regarding to a recent survey carried out in the sub-region of Dunaujvaros. The survey examined the motivations and innovation potentials of three target groups - companies, researchers and innovation financing companies. The evaluation of questionnaires show - among others - that * Most of the companies are not aware of sub-regional research projects and innovation possibilities however they wish to get more information regarding to innovation. * Most of the SMEs do not have any connection with innovation intermediaries neither with the College of Dunaujvaros nor its researchers. * However companies realize the importance of innovation they stated that they are lack of innovation ideas. According to the above mentioned results do not innovation intermediary organizations need to change? In the presentation I would like to suggest some resolution like reconsider their tasks and develop their efficiency by changing their working methods and communication channels.