Business people know that the nature of competition is changing, as global niche markets replace mass markets. Increasingly, individual firms are finding that they can no longer do everything they must do to remain competitive. There is simply too much to do, too much to know and too much to learn. Looking forward, an increasing number of firms are continuing to develop their unique value propositions, but are simultaneously combining their capabilities with those of other firms and organisations in a manner that transforms collaboration into a form of competitive advantage. The benefits of this approach allow participating firms to combine resources, to gain knowledge, achieve economies of scale, acquire technologies, skills and resources and enter markets that are otherwise beyond their reach.
InterTradeIreland is working to enhance the global competitiveness of the island economy through all-island trade and business development networks that are supported and facilitated by the organisation's range of knowledge-based network enabling tools. InterTradeIreland’s FUSION and INNOVA programmes are two such tools.
FUSION is InterTradeIreland's all-island technology transfer initiative that gives companies with technology based needs the opportunity to work within three-way partnerships that include third-level research institutions with specialist expertise, and a high-calibre science and technology graduate.
Business sectors that have already benefited from FUSION include biotechnology, food products, pharmaceuticals, polymers, information technology, engineering, fabrication and packaging.
Case Study - CyberColloids Ltd
Case Study - Roche Manufacturing Ltd
Case Study - Marcon Communications Ltd
To maintain competitive advantage, companies are engaging in a growing array of strategic alliances, and in this context there is much potential for North/South collaboration.
INNOVA is an all-island collaborative R&D programme aimed at stimulating, promoting and supporting R&D co-operation between firms, North and South, with the support of public research organisations where required. INNOVA was set up to foster links between technology firms on both sides of the border and, most importantly, to fund and assist research and development (R&D) co-operation. The aim of the programme is to bring companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, into partnerships where they can share risks as well as ideas, and speed up the development of products into the marketplace.
Case Study - Hunter Apparel Solutions & Itronik Interconnect
Case Study - Fusion Antibodies & Opsona Therapeutics Ltd
Industry-Academic Links
In modern knowledge-based economies, closer links between industry and public research institutions are increasingly important. By working closely with research institutions, companies get access to new ideas, latest technologies and problem solving.
KTP with Steve Orr LtdIndustrial Training Project Delivered on behalf of NIPA
