1. Creating smart regions through
open societal innovation
- Panel -
26th Bled eConference, 11. June 2013
www.bledconference.org

2. Creating smart regions through
open societal innovation
- Panel -
Introduction
Hans-Dieter Zimmermann

3. Goal of the Panel
3
 Continuing the discussion about eRegions which emerged from the
Bled eConference and
 Attempt to embed the concept within a ‘Smart City’ and
‘Open Innovation’ context
 Bringing together the different perspectives contributing to a
broader understanding of smart regions:
 ICT focus
 Regional focus
 Open innovation focus: Open societal innovation approach

4. Panelists
4
Julia Glidden,
Managing Director, 21c Consultancy, UK
Geert Mareels,
Flemish eGovernment Manager,
Flemish eGovernment Coordination Unit (CORVE), Belgium
Bror Salmelin,
Advisor to the DG Information Society and Media,
European Commission; Innovation Systems, Belgium

5. Introduction
1. eRegion
2. eSociety Bodensee 2020 Project –
A smart region project

6. eRegion
and the Bled eConference

7. Introduction
7
During the last 26 years the Bled eConference has addressed – and is
still addressing – the relationship and impact of ICT and business and
society
One special focus:
 Utilizing ICT and especially the Web in a geographical setting with
a focus on the further development and support of defined
geographical areas or regions
 The Bled eConference quite often gets connected
to the notion of eRegion
[Zimmermann 2012]

8. The Notion of eRegion
8
Beyond the Bled eConference the term eRegion has not been applied
frequently in the literature
“As a concept, eRegion denotes Information Technology (IT)-supported
initiatives that transcend traditional borders and boundaries.”
(Gricar et al. 2007)
eRegion understood as “… an information and communication
technology (ICT) supported region. […]
From a technological perspective, an eRegion integrates the issues of
regional development with the opportunities and challenges coming
from the latest technologies” (Gricar 2007, 86).
… adding additional perspectives on eRegion such as the political,
academic, or organizational perspectives

9. The Notion of eRegion
9
eRegion does not refer to political or administrative borders
 eRegion refers to a region rather based on similarities such as cultural
or historical developments, e.g. based on historical trade relations or
common language
 Transcending traditional borders is one of the major motivations as well
as challenges developing eRegion activities in Europe triggering
respective discussions and projects
 Example: The initiative in the Bodensee area starting in 1994
But:
Cross-border attribute reflects a rather European viewpoint
Further motivation: the competitiveness of rural regions
 Mainly strategic purposes of eRegion activities
[Zimmermann 2012]

10. eRegion - Two distinct streams
10
Activities are triggered by the intention to stimulate the adoption of ICT
among businesses within a region
 Mostly economic focus
 Examples:
 Development and provision of a regional (B2B) portal
 Regional programs and activities to support the adoption of ICT in general or
of eCommerce applications more specifically
 Mainly focused in the Research Track
Activities encourage inter-linkage among regional organisations and
institutions in order to provide the basis for future competitive advantages
within an eRegion
 Examples:
 ALADIN network, the ALpe ADria INitiative Universities’ Network
 Internationale Bodenseehochschule IBH
 Mainly focused in the Business Track
[Zimmermann 2012]

11. Summary and Outlook
11
Regional issues have been addressed quite intense on different levels
and from different perspectives such as research, business, and
government and administration
Addressing of the transformation of regions, states including business
related, administrative and educational infrastructures
 Natural task of the Bled eConference conference
 … to be continued by our panel today

12. (www.esocietybodensee2020.org)

13. The Bodensee (Lake Constance) Region
13

14. The Bodensee (Lake Constance) Region
14

15. The Bodensee (Lake Constance) Region
15
Common Language
 … with different but very similar Alemannic dialects
(Lake Constance Alemannic)
Common Alemannic culture
Similar industry structure
 … and similar structural challenges
Disadvantages of missing
cross-border infrastructures
The lake – uniting and dividing the region

16. Languages – Cultures – Regions – … but Borders?
16
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alemannic_German

17. eSociety Bodensee 2020
17
How can Open Innovation
contribute to the solution of
societal challenges in the Lake
Constance region?
Open Societal Innovation
(esocietybodensee2020.org)

18. Main Steps of the Project
19
Common Understanding of Open Societal Innovation
Requirements Analysis
Guide/ manual for open societal innovation
Implementation and coaching of pilots
Evaluation of pilots
Knowledge transfer of gained insights
Development of an eSociety Bodensee 2020 strategy

19. eSociety Bodensee 2020 - Summary
20
Utilization of Open Innovation approaches to cope with societal
challenges within the Bodensee region
Main goals:
 Sustainable identification and release of the innovation power of all
stakeholders
 Strategic utilization of the innovation power of the society as a whole
 Compilation of appropriate tool, format, and processes
 Leading role of the intl. Bodensee Region as a pioneer of open
societal innovation

20. But:
Challenges for cross-country cooperation …
21
Different political systems:
 EU (Austria, Germany)
 EEA European Economic Area (Liechtenstein)
 … and Switzerland
Different legal systems
Different history
Different perception of direct democracy and participation
Different understanding and implementation of federalism
Different school and university systems
Most funding schemes do not support cross-country cooperation
… and even if they do it’s a challenge …

21. Contact
Dr. Hans-Dieter Zimmermann
FHS St. Gallen University of Applied Sciences
Institute for Information and Process Management IPM-FHS
Rosenbergstrasse 59, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Tel. +41 71 226 17 52
hansdieter.zimmermann@fhsg.ch
www.esociety.net , @FHS_eSociety
www.fhsg.ch/ipm
www.hdzimmermann.net, blog.hdzimmermann.net, @hdzimmermann