CONCORDi 2017 aims to present and discuss both theoretical and empirical contributions relevant to corporate R&D, innovation and technological advancement.

Corporate R&D, innovation and technological development are crucial drivers for the dynamics of industry, competitiveness, job creation and welfare, and to guarantee the achievement of a sustainable territorial development in the EU.

A key objective of this Conference is to identify the research, business and policy challenges in this area for the decade to come, and to provide guidance to the EU industrial research and innovation policy agenda.

Main topics proposed for discussion in this context include:

• Employment, productivity and growth effects of firms' investment in Research, Development and Innovation 
• Entrepreneurship and firms demographics in knowledge intensive activities, and the impact on industrial composition
• Industrial modernisation (advanced manufacturing, digitalisation of production, etc.) and its dynamics
• Current technological frontiers (e.g. "big data" and new analytical techniques such as artificial intelligence) and next generation of technological discoveries (identification, effects and policy issues)
• Geography of industrial innovation and territorial development: challenges and opportunities in the EU
• Knowledge flows and collaboration between companies and other actors of innovation ecosystems at different territorial levels
• R&D and innovation activities in global value chains.

In order to ensure policy relevant outcomes of the conference, academic contributions are expected to focus on topics the relevance of which is supported by empirical evidence.

A re-assessment of the relevant policy agenda, both of its conceptual remits (topics and policy questions-problems to address) and of its main actors, will be discussed, based on recent research findings.

CONCORDi 2017 shares the unique approach of previous Conference editions in linking science and policy around relevant questions. It is thus primarily addressed to the researchers and practitioners communities, but also to industrialists and policy makers.

Papers' submissions for CONCORDi 2017 are now open and should be made following the instructions of the Call for Papers. Deadline for submission: 9 May 2017

There will be no Conference registration fee.

Scientific Committee:

• Róman Arjona (European Commission, BE)
• Mária Bieliková (Slovak University of Technology, SK)
• Uwe Cantner (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, DE)
• Alex Coad (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, PE)
• Giovanni Dosi (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, IT)
• Bronwyn H. Hall (University of California at Berkeley, USA)
• Jackie Krafft (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, FR)
• Pierre Mohnen (United Nations University, NL)
• Pietro Moncada-Paternò-Castello (European Commission, ES)
• Bruno van Pottelsberghe (Université Libre de Bruxelles, BE)
• Mariagrazia Squicciarini (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, FR)
• Scott Stern (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA).

IRITEC: website

Contact: JRC-CONCORDI@ec.europa.eu

10 REASONS TO JOIN US ON THE 10^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS LEADING SCIENCE AND POLICY CONFERENCE

JRC's CONCORDi is the bi-annual International Conference on Corporate R&D and Innovation where world renowned academics, largest corporate investors and policy makers meet and discuss. We give you 10 reasons for joining us on the 10^th anniversary of this leading science & policy Conference:

1. We gather the best scientists. In 10 years, we have enjoyed the insights of three Nobel Laureates (Robert Solow, Eric Maskin and Finn E. Kydland). Among this year participants we find top list “ISI Highly Cited Researchers”, chief editors of leading journals, the 6th most influential woman in economics of the world, members of JRC Board of Governors and top executives from preeminent European and American academic institutions such as the MIT.

2. CONCORDi shapes the research agenda. We exploit the full potential for synergies of the best available knowledge across Europe and beyond. Examples are research common streams of financing R&D and innovation, internationalisation of R&D, scientific evidence for policy, and growth of innovative firms.

3. Selected outcomes of the Conference are published in special issues of top scientific journals, such as Economics of Innovation and New Technology; Industrial and Corporate Change; Science and Public Policy.

4. CONCORDi helps to attract top level scholars to spend some time working at the DG JRC.

5. CONCORDi 2017 is organised in association with the OECD, a new example of the growing partnership with the JRC, and the ongoing collaboration between the Directorate for Growth and Innovation of the JRC and OECD's Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation.

6. CONCORDi's final session always focuses on the link between scientific output and the EU policy agenda. It allows discussion and re-assessment of the policy agenda, based on recent research findings by its main actors

7. Participating policy stakeholders included Ministers, European Commissioners, Commission Director-Generals, representatives from the European Central Bank and the European Investment Bank and many more. Yet confirmed attendees at CONCORDi 2017 include RTD Chief Economist -Román Arjona, OECD's Deputy Director of Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dirk Pilat, and Luc Soete, coordinator of European Commission's RISE High Level Group - Research, Innovation and Science Policy Experts.

8. CONCORDi makes explicit impacts into EU policymaking, as for example in the Competitiveness Council meeting on Creating an innovative Europe.

9. CONCORDI also hosts the input of industry representatives who validate the output of the Conference. It has enjoyed participation from market leader companies and European business associations; Truffle Capital, Philips, Merck Group, Dow Chemical or the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME).

10. CONCORDi 2017 focuses on "Innovation and Industrial Dynamics: Challenges for the next decade". It will provide a timing opportunity for discussing about certain aspects of the EU after Horizon2020. Specific issues proposed for discussion are accessible here

More information on CONCORDi Conferences

Source: European Commission,  Joint Research Centre - Growth and Innovation Directorate