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PhD (Econ) Mikko Kosonen was appointed President of the Finnish Innovation Fund, Sitra, as of 17th of November, 2008. Kosonen joined Sitra as Executive Vice President responsible for Innovations and New Solutions unit as of August 1, 2007. Before joining in Sitra Mikko Kosonen worked for over twenty years in Nokia Group. His responsibilities covered many areas in Finland and abroad, most recently the roles of CIO and SVP, Corporate Planning from 1997 onwards. Additionally, he is the author of many articles printed in in?uential business and research publications on the subject of international business, strategy, organization and knowledge management. He and Professor Yves Doz are the co- authors of the June 2007 HBR article "The New Deal at the Top" and the book "Fast Strategy: How Strategic Agility Helps You Stay Ahead of the Game".
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Finland"s broad-based innovation strategy
Finland has succeeded in international comparisons of education, research and technology, being one of the leading countries in the world in terms of innovation and the quality of enterprises" operating environments. Finland"s success has largely been based on its high-quality educational system, long term investments by enterprises and the public sector in research & development, and its well functioning, networked institutions. However, rapidly intensifying competition in the open global operating environment of innovation activity is challenging Finland"s competitive advantages. Hence, Finland"s success in international comparisons evaluating competitive ability and the development of the information society has been on the decline. This forces us to consider, critically and without bias, our competitive position, while motivating us to pursue new opportunities, which are opening up due to the changes in the economy, society and the global operating environment. Finland"s long-term investments in expertise and technological research & development have produced good results, and its successful science and technology policy has created a basis for many successful industries. However, the challenges of growth and competitiveness can no longer be tackled only by means of a sector-based, technology-oriented strategy. Instead, a demand-based innovation policy must be strengthened alongside a supply-based innovation policy. As a concept, innovation has expanded and diversified considerably in the past few years. Innovation is perceived as an exploited, competence-based competitive asset, which, in addition to the application of technology, can be founded on e.g. new service and business models, working and operating methods, or the management of product concepts and brands. Broad-based innovation policy creates the preconditions for operating models combining the needs of users, consumers and citizens, with knowledge, creativity and competence. These new dimensions of the innovation policy also respond to the challenges of the present economic downturn. A decisive factor as regards to Finland"s future success is how the EU succeeds in its economic and innovation policy. Finland must therefore be an active participant and force in the development and targeting of the EU"s research and innovation policy. By taking advantage of all instruments of EU innovation policy, Finland should be able to strengthen and diversify innovation activities and contribute to Europe"s development of leading knowledge-based economy.
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