Higher Education for Smart Specialisation: The Case of the Northern Netherlands Paul Benneworth Arregui-Pabollet, Eskarne January 2021 EUR 30576 EN This publication is a Technical report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Commission’s science and knowledge service. It aims to provide evidence-based scientific support to the European policymaking process. The scientific output expressed does not imply a policy position of the European Commission. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of this publication. For information on the methodology and quality underlying the data used in this publication for which the source is neither Eurostat nor other Commission services, users should contact the referenced source. 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Contents Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2 The HESS case study: Methodology....................................................................................................................................................................................6 2.1 Exploratory workshop .........................................................................................................................................................................................................6 2.2 Research objectives.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.3 Semi-structured interviews ...........................................................................................................................................................................................8 2.4 Focus group workshops ....................................................................................................................................................................................................8 2.5 Shadow Group members .................................................................................................................................................................................................8 3 Overview of the regional economic development context..........................................................................................................................10 4 The structure of higher education in the Netherlands.................................................................................................................................... 11 4.1 The regulatory framework for the third mission of HE in the Netherlands.................................................................... 11 4.2 The institutional space for HEI initiative in regional smart specialisation strategies............................................ 12 5 The regional HEI context in the Northern Netherlands................................................................................................................................... 15 5.1 The role of HEIs in strengthening the S3 ecosystem..........................................................................................................................16 5.1.1 The S3 governance structure in the Northern Netherlands ........................................................................................16 5.1.2 S3 consideration of HEI capacities .................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.2 State of play of HEI collaborations with innovation ecosystem actors..............................................................................19 5.3 The role of HEIs in S3 implementation............................................................................................................................................................20 6 Results........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 24 6.1 Connecting SMEs ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 6.1.1 Introduction to the key drivers and trends around connecting SMEs................................................................. 24 6.1.2 Overview of the situation in the Northern Netherlands ................................................................................................. 24 6.1.3 Analysis of the key processes at play in the Northern Netherlands ................................................................... 25 6.1.4 Key success factors in producing positive results ...............................................................................................................26 6.1.5 Challenges undermining effective contributions .................................................................................................................. 27 6.1.6 Strategic and operational ways forward......................................................................................................................................29 6.2 Human capital ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 6.2.1 Introduction to the key drivers and trends around human capital ...................................................................... 30 6.2.2 Overview of the situation in the Northern Netherlands .................................................................................................31 6.2.3 Analysis of the key processes at play in the Northern Netherlands ...................................................................32 6.2.4 Key success factors in producing positive results .............................................................................................................. 33 6.2.5 Challenges undermining effective contributions ..................................................................................................................34 6.2.6 Strategic and operational ways forward......................................................................................................................................35 6.3 Innovation Ecosystem/ Governance................................................................................................................................................................... 36 6.3.1 Introduction to the key drivers and trends around innovation ecosystem ................................................... 36