The first represents an emerging technology cluster in the early stage of formation the second represents a more mature cluster that has evolved from an earlier shipbuilding and repair industry-base.
This paper examines the dynamics of formation of two innovation-driven industrial clusters in Singapore: the biomedical sciences (BMS) cluster and the offshore marine engineering cluster. Based on data collection from the talent mobility projects executed during 2014 to 2016, key success factors and barriers were observed and subsequently the policy recommendations were proposed for improving the programme implementation in future. Lastly, facilitation resources such as management, research fund, and compensation were mutually supported by government agencies including National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office and Office of the Higher Education Commission. Moreover, clearing houses or service centres were established to eliminate the gap between industry and university, whereas training programmes were also developed for capacity building purpose, especially for staffs in those centres. The main policy mechanism is to facilitate universities and research institutes to develop their internal regulations in accordance with the Cabinet approval such that their talents can be legally mobilised to conduct research or project in private companies for competitiveness improvement. This paper empirically examines the national policy deployment of talent mobility programme aiming to leverage innovation atmosphere in private sector as a part of national strategy to escape middle income country status. Additionally, case studies highlight that this approach addresses a wide range of challenges faced by local SMEs and is flexible enough to cater to specific needs and requirements. Findings from two surveys conducted in 20 show that the T-Up secondment program had positive impact on the technological capabilities, innovation performance and growth of participating companies. Instead of traditional technology transfer modes which are transactions-based, T-Up utilizes skills and human resource transfer through secondment of public sector researchers. We propose that T-Up represents a new approach to technology transfer which additionally maximizes the industrial impact of public sector research. a temporary placement of manpower in a different organization) known as T-Up. The key program in the initiative is a manpower secondment scheme (i.e. The Growing Enterprises through Technology Upgrading (GET-Up) initiative has been successfully implemented in Singapore since 2003. This paper outlines a scheme that uses manpower from public research institutes to assist the technology upgrading of Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Keywords: technology transfer, Public Research Institutes (PRIs), Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), open innovation Additionally, selected case studies highlight that this approach addresses a wide range of challenges faced by local SMEs and is flexible enough to cater to specific needs and requirements. Findings from surveys show that the T-Up secondment program has positive impact on the technological capabilities, innovation performance and growth of participating companies.
The key program in the initiative is a manpower secondment scheme known as T-Up.