We've completed First steps in measuring regional innovation (pdf, 1.72mb), a report proposing an approach to on-going monitoring of innovation activity in the West Midlands. The report includes three main elements:
Scale and performance of industrial clusters
Our ultimate aim was to be able to quantify measures such as total output (GVA), total employment, productivity (GVA per employee) and growth for each of the clusters within the region.
In some instances, these definitions can have a very narrow focus, resulting in under-representation of some clusters and subsequently to an apparent under-performance. We're continuing a more detailed analysis to get a more accurate understanding of cluster dynamics.
Collectively, the clusters considered accounted for GVA of £36.6 billion, approximately 58% of non-financial private-sector GVA (or just over 40% of total GVA).
Up to 2006, the environmental and building technologies clusters have grown relatively fast, with the latter a key driver for overall economic growth.
Whilst transport technologies in the region contribute nearly 20% of total national output in this cluster, the workforce are estimated to have the lowest level of productivity across all English regions.
Our report (pdf, 1.72mb) provides statistical analysis and commentary for all clusters.
What's next?
As part of the next stage of the work, in addition to refining the performance analysis, we're looking at the measurement and analysis of market size and external tradability.
We also plan to build on this analysis by moving from a general analysis of the sectors to focus more specifically on their innovation performance.
Dashboard of innovation indicators
The report contains an overview of how the innovation dashboard was developed. For more detail, see:
Further analysis of the Community Innovation Survey
We're currently working with Aston Business School to undertake an in-depth of analysis of innovation activity within the region's firms using the Community Innovation Survey. This work is due in summer 2010.