By Tor-Arne Bellika, Inovation Performance AS, Norway, presented at the 16th TCI Global Conference, Kolding 2013.

1. Skill development services & business models for
cluster organizations
Tor-Arne Bellika
Academic Summit: Innovation and business models in clusters
5 September 2013

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Learning Layers
Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters
Skill development services & business
models for cluster organizations
Addressing skills and jobs challenges in Europe
through skill services in Cluster Organizations.
Tor-Arne Bellika, Innovation Performance AS, Norway
Gilbert Peffer, CIMNE Barcelona, Spain
Ludger Deitmer, ITB, University of Bremen, Germany
2

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
The challenge & the research
• Problem addressed:
– Massive unemployment in EU-27
– lack of skilled talents for young SMEs- the real job
creators of Europe
– Can we develop the right skills faster?
• Our research:
– Mapped basis for services and business models in
clusters and regions in relevant literature.
– Studied skill services and business models in
groups of clusters in three regions.
– Next phase:
• detailed mapping of services, revenues and
business models for skill services in clusters
• Layers: an FP 7-Integrated R&I project
– nov 2012 until nov 2016/13 mill Euro budget.

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Clusters are core in addressing
European skills challenges.
• Growth SMEs increasingly organize in clusters
• 67% of EU-27 business employment in SMEs
• Young SMEs are the job creators of Europe
– 85% of net new jobs in EU 2002-2010 were in SMEs
– New SMEs, younger than 5 years, responsible for
majority of new jobs.
– Most new jobs require advanced skill sets.
• Cluster organizations service breath and intensity
directly influence SME impact.
• Skill shortage is #1 growth barrier for many
clusters.
Source: EU SME
Performance Review Oct/2012

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Theoretical framework
• Innovation gap model (Linqvist & Sölvell)
– Cluster organizations as service providers
– Funding logics of cluster organizations
• Disruptive innovation model (Christensen)
– cluster organizations as disruptors in learning
services?
• Learning region model (Nyhan et al)
– How do regions develop ability to learn faster in times
of increased specialization?

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Research questions
• Barriers for the «cluster as a service provider» model?
• How important are skill service revenues for cluster
organisations?
• Can cluster organizations be disruptors in skill services?
• Barriers for use of ICT in skills services in clusters?
• What are the necessary expansions of current models of
cluster organizations and their funding logics?

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Most important findings
• Skills services has big potential as major
funding source for cluster organizations
• Mature cluster organizations drive renewal of
skill development in their region
• New services integrate informal @work and
formal learning and initial and continued
education
• Lack of «cluster commons» a BIG barrier to
improved skills development in regions.
• Rigid business models are major barrier for
more use of ICT in skill services
• Service development and funding logics for
cluster organizations need detailing.

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Cluster org funding logics model
basis for researching business models

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Recommendations and
Implications
• Promote regional cluster to cluster collaboration in skill
services and regional sharing of service platform
elements.
• Broaden target groups of cluster program skill services
beyond cluster management teams to create shared
«cluster commons» in regions.
• Standardize measurement and track % self funding for
all cluster organizations.
• Promote use of ICT in skill services and increased focus
on informal @work learning
• Promote joint skill service development and shared
regional platforms

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http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters – layers@learning-
layers.eu
Contact info
• Tor-Arne Bellika,
– CEO Innovation Performance AS.
• Learning Layers: www.learning-layers.eu
LinkedIn: no.linkedin.com/in/torarnebellika/
Mobile: +47 90538842
email: tab@i-perform.no