BRIDGING THE INNOVATION GAP

摘要

Europe needs to change the way it does research and development (R&D), investing more and restructuring its approach, if it is to become the world's most effective knowledge-based economy. That's the premise that the European Industrial Research Management Association (EIRMA) gathered to discuss in Sorrento, Italy, in June. The discussion was a response to last year's initiative by the European Heads of State, dubbed 'More Research for Europe'. This highlighted the need to boost Europe's industrial R&D to ensure future competitiveness and social well being. The Heads of State set a daunting target for R&D investment to rise from its current 1.9% of GDP to 3% by 2010, mainly through persuading industry to increase its investment. Dr Andrew Dearing, secretary general of EIRMA, says Europe is under-investing in R&D to the tune of 100 billion per year, compared with the US.