Intangible assets in the public sector and policy

The main objective is to analyse the role of the state – public sector intangibles and how innovation policy can promote intangible investment, innovation and productivity growth. Particular focus is on the institutional framework in public sector how innovation policy is practised at national level, where comparison can be made on intangible capital, IC, resources available for these institutes. Market sector division into R&D, organizational capital OC, and ICT is extended to public institutes. Another line of research is to extend FP7 Spintan project and comprising (1) information, scientific and cultural assets and (2) societal competencies.

WP7 will thereafter assess the current and future role of policy to support effective use of intangibles (in the private and public sector). Focus is on the role of policy in the generation and use of intangibles, particularly in demand side policies that support the articulation of needs and the adoption of solutions in firms. The analysis exploits all data gathered with a view of policy and regulatory and fiscal framework conditions. This will done in close cooperation with the leaders of WP 5 and 6. Finally, based on the literature review and our analysis, we will design policy interventions and suggest reform of framework conditions, discuss those with policy makers and firm representatives and will then formulate concrete recommendations for policy measures and their implementations. Specific objectives:

• Extending the definition of public sector intangibles with LEED data and in comparison of SPINTAN with the inclusion of networks, processes, and implementation of innovation.
• Evaluation of the impact of public sector intangibles on governance quality and policy-making in case countries
• Understand the role of policy in investing in and using intangibles for innovation (also input in WP2)
• Understanding the policy support needs and opportunities to generate and use intangibles for innovation in the public and private sector
• Designing policy interventions to improve the effective use of intangibles in European public and private sector
• Organising a policy discourse and formulating concrete recommendations for policy implementation at EU, national and regional level.

The working package is led by the University of Manchester.