Competitiveness, Innovation, Research and Technology Policy Studies
One of our key areas of study is focused on how companies, regions, states and meta-regions such as Baltic Sea Region or European Union are able to maintain and increase their competitiveness in ever changing world. We study thus the role of innovation, technology, research and other relevant policies both as single policies but more importantly as a suitable policy mix for competitiveness of particular entities and places. We use both traditional statistical and socio-economic research methods together with more novel methods such as foresight, benchmarking, etc.
Transnational migration processes have forced national governments to re-evaluate their socio-economic, cultural and security issues on national as well as regional level and adjust respective policies. Due to the transnational character of migration processes in modern world, governments are also forced to coordinate their national policies with each other or through transnational organisations.
Supporting public policy formulation through qualitative economic and political analysis is at the centre of our economic and regional development research. Research projects implemented over the years have been concentrated on assessing the competitiveness of Estonian as well as Baltic economy and its possible development opportunities. Over the years we have participated in several EU Framework Programme projects and been particularly active in developing regional innovation strategy in Southern-Estonia as well as participated in similar initiatives abroad. An importance is also given to EU cohesion policy and its impact especially on EU new member states. Evaluation and impact assessment of cohesion policy measures and other programmes on economic and regional development is particularly interesting for our researchers. Through prospective analysis and policy recommendations we also wish to increase the wider knowledge about actual economic issues in
