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Science and Technology Policy and the New Economy
The Center for Competitive Economies (C3E) has extensive experience with science and technology policy gained through its participation in North Carolina’s Vision 2030 project and other recent projects including the identification of technology infrastructure needs in distressed communities and the 1998 International Symposium on Information Technology.
Vision 2030: Science and technology driving the new economy
North Carolina undertook a comprehensive statewide visioning and real-options planning process during 1998-2000 coordinated by the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology chaired by former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. The initiative, called "Vision 2030" was focused on strengthening North Carolina´s competitiveness in the new economy.
Researchers affiliated with C3E were active participants in the project from its inception, writing reports on North Carolina´s place in the knowledge economy and best practices from other regions of the world, conducting regional focus groups and industry cluster analyses, and creating the N.C. Innovation Index. [details]
Identification Of Technology Infrastructure Needs In Distressed Communities
C3E competed nationally in 1999 to win a grant project from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to identify the technology infrastructure needs of distressed communities in the United States. C3E conducted 13 case studies of varied information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure investments and their effect on economic development in distressed rural, inner-city urban and declining Frost Belt communities.
- The two North Carolina case studies focused on the Global TransPark in Kinston and the telemedicine center at East Carolina University in Greenville.
- Other studies were conducted at sites in Washington, Montana, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Key members of the team working on the project included C3E Director Michael Luger and Associate Director Leslie Stewart with Edward Feser of UNC-Chapel Hill, Deborah Watts of the Technology Development Group, Irwin Feller from Pennsylvania State University and Peter Blair of Sigma Xi.
1998 International Symposium on Information Technology
C3E´s first major project was to host "The Knowledge Society, Innovation, and Information Regions," an international symposium on information technology in November 1998 attended by UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students and the public.
- More than 40 experts from around the world spoke on topics such as the use of information technology (IT) by regional businesses, IT and inner cities, intellectual property issues and economic development.
- One session examined regional success stories from three continents.
- U.S. Congressman David Price spoke at one of the dinners.
- Co-sponsors were the European Commission (DG XII), Japanese Science and Technology Administration and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
- Other funding came from IBM, Cisco Systems, NationsBank, Duke University, North Carolina State University and the state of North Carolina.
- The symposium was held at the Kenan Center, the Sheraton in Chapel Hill, and in Raleigh. Participants toured the Research Triangle Park and Centennial Campus. Participants included UNC faculty and students and the general public.
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Kenan Institute
