FOLPSEC · FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND BENCHMARKING FOR THE EU AND BEYOND)

FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN THE CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND BENCHMARKING FOR THE EU AND BEYOND)

In order to achieve FOLPSEC research objectives a team comprising researchers from universities and research institutions in countries in and outside the EU (Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Russia and Ukraine) carried out substantial number of studies. That approach provided for research on regions that differ from economic and cultural point of view. This was a big challenge for us. In addition, based on the variety of local production systems functioning in the countries covered, different observations and generally applicable conclusions have been made. On could define these observations and conclusions as an input to the theory and the practice. The main conclusions with contributive character are related to the identification of the similarities and the differences in terms of LPS establishment and functioning over the years of market-oriented transformation of the economic development. While implementing the project a network for effective knowledge transfer based on mobility, scientific activities and dissemination activities has been established. That network provided mobility opportunities for both ERs and ESRs, thus creating a stimulating international research environment and supporting the relationship between partners’ research and academic communities. Under the project 111 researchers from the participating institutions carried out 237,81 person months regularly spread over the project’s lifetime. The percentage of secondments’ fulfilment by the consortium is 79,01%. By implementing the secondments several scientific activities have been carried out. These could be divided into: individual and collective. The individual ones (bibliographical search, bibliographical sources overview, and scientific input to FOLPSEC research papers) covered the individual work of the researchers during their secondments at the host institution, as well as the work on FOLPSEC content at the home institution in-between the secondments. While carrying out these tasks the participating researchers made use of the advantages of the effective scientific communication (in different formats) within the consortium. The collective scientific activities were implemented during the secondments and had the following formats: scientific meetings, study visits and joint training activities. The consortium carried out 11 scientific meetings, 61 study visits and 24 joint training activities. The collective scientific activities contributed to the scientific advance of the project and strengthened its network effect in terms of internal and external relationships. FOLPSEC research outputs cover three monographs (one of which in two volumes), two collections of papers and 44 scientific articles published in periodicals in Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Germany and Poland. Two ESRs participating in the project (Bulgaria, Ukraine) defended their PhD theses and are in a process of PhD degree award. The consortium paid due attention to the importance of effectively disseminate and exploit project results. The objective was to raise public awareness of the assistance provided by FP7 through the Marie Curie Action and to announce FOLPSEC results as an input to the studied area. To this end, several dissemination activities have been carried out. An important field of project results’ dissemination deals with the professional area. By producing monographs and scientific articles and by delivering presentations at scientific events FOLPSEC researchers contributed to the integration of knowledge generated by the project within the LPS-related scientific knowledge developed within Europe and in the world. As a result, the wider academic community is duly informed on the research outcomes of the project. In addition, project results dissemination through publications strengthened the research expertise of participating researchers, increased their publication records and contributed to their professional development. FOLPSEC researchers incorporated project findings in the academic courses delivered at their home universities. Several detached researchers delivered lectures during their secondments and communicated FOLPSEC findings to students and colleagues. That approach provided for project results implementation in future research and teaching. One should also mention project results’ dissemination in the mass media. Partner institutions were active in promoting FOPLSEC objectives and results among local authorities and communities. A number of articles and press releases appeared in local newspapers and journals. This information was addressed to the public at large and played important role in the dissemination process. In addition information about the project, its activities and results has been disseminated in participating universities and institutions through publications in their journals. This helped to get more understanding and institutional support and to inform the academic and research communities on project implementation. Dissemination through the Internet was also envisaged. Both the Coordinator and some of the partners published information on the project on their subsites. In addition all partners hosting FOLPSEC events published related information, videos and photos at their websites. In order to increase FOLPSEC visibility for external and internal target audiences 18 press releases has been published in all participating countries. Information on FOLPSEC and its main results is available at: http://www.unwe.bg/crep/en

Data: CORDIS, © European Union