Trades union desk: The value of nothing
Thursday, March 1st, 2012When government is urged to change the law by very interested parties, the least they should do is come up with some evidence. Recently however, quite dubious ‘facts’ are being created by lobbyists who seek the cost of everything and appreciate the value of nothing. On 25 November 2011, the Irish News and the Belfast Telegraph, both ran the ‘exclusive’ story that trade unions were receiving £4 million in ‘hand outs’ from the taxpayer. Not coincidentally, these reports were published days before the largest ever day of industrial action seen in Northern Ireland. ...[full story]
Politics: Future of the Northern Ireland media
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Commentators and journalists from across the media share their thoughts on the way ahead for the sector at an agendaNi seminar. ‘Content is king’ for ensuring high quality in the future of the media, according to well-informed observers. agendaNi has held a seminar on Northern Ireland’s changing media landscape, which brought together a range of viewpoints of print journalists, broadcast managers and social media consultants. “If you see something in a newspaper that you like, tell people and encourage them to buy it,” said Tony Axon as he called for good, credible content...[full story]
Cover story: Consilium–going mobile
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Northern Ireland can take the lead in developing mobile technologies and generate new jobs for graduates. Consilium Chief Executive Colin Reid shares his ambitious vision for the sector with Owen McQuade. Maximising the benefits of mobile technology can make organisations more productive and help citizens hold government to account, Consilium Chief Executive Colin Reid believes. However, the Executive needs to radically change tack on how it attracts ICT investors to Northern Ireland, by prioritising software product companies, especially in emerging growth areas such as mobile...[full story]
Draft Programme for Government: Economy
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011While still keeping the economy as first priority, the draft Programme for Government offers few radical solutions for the province’s problems. As expected, the economy is described as the Executive’s first priority but its aims are considerably less ambitious than before. This reflects the recession but also the risk-averse influence of the Civil Service. Closing the productivity gap with Great Britain (a major goal for decades) is not set as a firm target. The previous programme aimed to halve the difference with the UK average (excluding South East England) by 2015. Instead, the...[full story]
Innovation: R&D in Northern Ireland
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Northern Ireland needs to fight for European funding to fast-track its R&D performance and catch up with competing regions. The province cannot afford to lag behind in innovation. While the Republic has drawn down €290 million from Europe’s key innovation programme, Northern Ireland’s applications total just €30 million. That gap is an urgent wake-up call for the Executive to promote the region’s R&D, especially as the Seventh Framework Programme finishes in 2013. Statistics for 2010 make clear that business leads the way in local innovation. The private sector spent...[full story]
Innovation: Manu-services
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Combining goods and services into packages is vital for UK manufacturing’s future success, according to the Work Foundation’s Andrew Sissons. He explains ‘manu-services’ to agendaNi. UK manufacturers can create a global edge by backing up their products with high quality support services, according to Work Foundation author Andrew Sissons. The trend, known as manu-services, was the subject of his ‘More than making things’ report, which he launched in March. Manufacturing is essential for rebalancing the economy and closing the strategic trade gap but the UK is slipping back...[full story]
Innovation: Scandinavia’s R&D success
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Northern Ireland must follow Scandinavia’s lead and cut business grants which don’t back R&D. Graham Gudgin discusses a radical new direction with agendaNi. “We’ve got to look for good role models and not merely the nearest but our real problem in Northern Ireland is complacency,” says Graham Gudgin in a sharp critique of the region’s economic culture. Gudgin currently works at Cambridge University’s Centre For Business Research and has analysed Northern Ireland’s economy since 1985. “The most immediate place to look is the Civil Service,” he says of the problem....[full story]
Innovation: Israel – an R&D leader
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Israel is recognised as a world leader in research and development. agendaNi explores why. Disadvantaged by its small size, Israel’s scientific and technological policies are aimed at enhancing its competitive position. It gross domestic expenditure on R&D as percentage of GDP is 4.7 per cent compared to 2.7 per cent in the United States and 2.01 in Europe. Private sector spend as a percentage of its GDP is 3.39 per cent compared to 2.01 and 1.25 in the US and Europe. Israel’s universities have a strong reputation for technological advancement and all ministries employ chief scientists. Within...[full story]
Innovation: Consilium-New headquarters
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011Consilium Technologies opens new corporate headquarters in Belfast following recent US expansion. One of Northern Ireland’s leading tech companies, Consilium Technologies, has announced the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Belfast. The company recently launched a major expansion at their North American facility in Boston and this move will allow the firm to scale its UK operations alongside its US facility. The move coincides with the company’s leading product TotalMobile™ announced as a medallist for the UK Mobile IT Innovation Award. Previously based in the Antrim...[full story]
