national competitiveness - local innovation

7 out of 10 countries that will command world trade in 2050 are in Asia Pacific.

malcolmfraser — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:48:23 +0000

Citigroup’s research team led by Chief Economist Willem Buiter recently published their forecasts for global trade in 2050. Of these 10 countries, 7 are in the Asia Pacific, here’s how rankings break down:

1. China

2. India

3. The United States

4. Germany

5. South Korea

6. Indonesia

7. Hong Kong

8. Japan

9. Singapore

10. The United Kingdom

Exploring National Competitiveness, Economic Productivity and Hi-Tech Industries

malcolmfraser — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:48:21 +0000

At the beginning of this month I presented at the TCI2011 global conference, on the topic of Exploring national competitiveness, economic productivity, and the contribution by information and communications technologies (ICTs) to economies.

In this presentation, I provided the outputs of my recent research into the relationships between hardware, software and services, and economic productivity.

The research helps economic development agencies advisors balance hi-tech industry investment, top drive economic growth. Here’s the hardware sector maturity across 50 countries as an example from the presentation.

If you would like a full copy of the presentation, you can download it from the TCI2011 website…here.

Corruptions Perception Index shows strong correlations to Local Software Economy Maturity

malcolmfraser — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:31:21 +0000

At The Future Cities Institute we have been investigating the relationships between the hi-tech sectors of hardware, software and services, and economic productivity, to provide better understanding for policy makers, industry, and non-government organisations on how these sectors can be developed to support economic growth and national competitiveness.

In working with these groups we are sometimes asked about the relationships between these hi-tech sectors, and other ‘social indicators’ so I thought I would share some preliminary results using two recently released social indexes; the UNDP Human Development Report for 2011 which is an alternative way of measuring countries’ prosperity and well-being, and the 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International, which measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 183 countries and territories around the world.

When comparing the maturity of local software economies with both these indexes, we found that Local Software Economy Maturity was more strongly correlated with the Corruption Perceptions Index (.715) than the Human Development Index (.640).

Remember this does not suggest cause and effect, just a signicant relationship. However, it may support the hypothesis that the use of software to provide better access to government processes by citizens (eGovernment) may have an impact on perceived corruption deduction. Here’s the plot of this relationship across 52 countries:

©Copyright Malcolm J Fraser 2011, The Future Cities Institute Inc.

Accelerating Asia

malcolmfraser — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:16:02 +0000

I’ll be speaking at the Accelerating Asia Conference in KL next week.

Should be a great conference with a strong focus on sustainable growth through technology enabled innovation, and the role of NGOs in empowering city communities

World Bank workshop on Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Growth

malcolmfraser — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:17:33 +0000

Today I’m presenting at the World Bank workshop on Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Growth: The Role of Cities.

This workshop, hosted by the World Bank’s Urbanization Knowledge Platform and infoDev (FPD Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Global Practice), has been held to discuss the role of global cities in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and job growth.

Specifically, the session is examining the role of business incubators in cities such as Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro, and Barcelona as stimulators for business innovation and entrepreneurship to create opportunities for inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

It’s Mo-vember

malcolmfraser — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:25:08 +0000

It’s Movember and time to focus on men’s health.

To show my commitment, I’m donating my face to the cause by growing a moustache for the entire month of November, and need your support.

My Mo will spark conversations, and no doubt generate some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer and male depression. Why am I so passionate about men’s health?

1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
This year 240,890 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed
1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
24% of men are less likely to go the doctor compared to women

I’m asking you to support my Movember campaign by making a donation online at: http://mobro.co/malcolmfraser

Thank you in advance for supporting my efforts to change the face of men’s health.

Malcolm

Nanjing Delegation from China

malcolmfraser — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:30:39 +0000

I spent a wonderful morning with Director Xu Jinwan and his colleges from Nanjing City in China, who are visiting in Auckland New Zealand. With 8 million people in the wider metropolis of Nanjing, their High-Tech Zone has 11 universities, 120,000 students and 2,000 companies in the 168 square kilometre High-Tech Zone…some wonderful opportunities for collaboration and innovation for the future.

World Bank – The Future Cities Institute: Urbanization Knowledge Platform Partnership.

malcolmfraser — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:42:01 +0000

World Bank – The Future Cities Institute: Urbanization Knowledge Platform Partnership..

Speaking at TCI Annual Global Conference 2011

malcolmfraser — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:15:25 +0000

I’ll be speaking at the TCI Annual Global Conference, to be held 28 November – 2 December 2011 in Auckland New Zealand. Topic being; National Competitiveness and Local Innovation: The Global Mosaic at Play!!

The session is on Thursday 1 December and called ‘Competitiveness in the Changing Global Economy: Next Generation Thinking’ I’ll be joined by Dr Lars Eklund from Sweden talking on National Innovation Competitions – experiences and state of the art!

Message from Brett O’Riley – NZ Ministry of Science and Innovation

malcolmfraser — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 08:42:32 +0000

Great message from a friend of mine, Brett O’Riley.

The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) is delighted to be one of the partners behind the Rutherford Innovation Showcase being staged during Rugby World Cup 2011. The Showcase celebrates “kiwi innovation” in the spirit of one of our greatest, Lord Rutherford. For more…Ministry of Science and Innovation.