SIM Wales: skills for innovation in manufacturing

The SIM Wales project was delivered by Swansea University in partnership with the Engineering Employers Forum (EEF) and Industry Wales. It was developed through consultation with a small group of manufacturers around their current challenges with implementing and managing innovation in their organisations. The project focused primarily on developing the broader organisational innovation knowledge of senior managers in ten participating manufacturers based in Wales. The project also aimed to develop the leadership and change management skills of the participants

An Empirical Study on Public Sector versus Third Sector Circular Economy-Oriented Innovations

Extensive research has explored organisational dynamics across various sectors in relation to circular economy (CE) innovation practices. However, a critical gap exists in understanding CE innovation activities in the public sector versus the third sector. This distinction is crucial as the third sector’s role in CE innovation is growing, necessitating tailored policies instead of homogenous integration into public sector-based approaches. We address this gap by focusing on nuanced comparisons between the public and third sectors, delving into the motivations and constraints surrounding CE innovations across these different sectors. Employing an exploratory sequential design, we integrate qualitative insights from 12 interviews with quantitative measures derived from 153 survey responses within CE innovation communities. The findings reveal subtle yet significant disparities in innovation activities between the public and third sectors within a CE innovation community. Notably, cost factor differences related to the availability of finance and knowledge factors associated with the lack of information on technology emerge. This research contributes evidence-based insights, offering practitioners and policymakers a nuanced understanding of the motivations and constraints of circular economy innovation. These findings can be instrumental in steering the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, emphasising the need for tailored strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach

From Leadership to Growth

The report summarises the history of and the lessons learnt during the LEAD Wales and Leading Growth leadership development programmes

Future of Innovation Thought Leadership Project – Innovation for a Circular Economy

This ‘thought piece’ considers ways in which the concept of Circular Economy (CE) might be redefined within the innovation ecosystem. The findings of this report suggest that a distinction needs to be made between the innovation activities of circular economy SMEs as opposed to SMEs undertaking CE innovation, and that a CE programme for SMEs based on should be a focus for innovation policy. Through a literature review, a less reductive definition of the CE- traditionally associated with ‘recycling’- in sustainability innovation, emerges. The aim of this report is to provide insights to Innovate UK about how policy can support a CE paradigm shift that can fundamentally change the social and business mindsets around sustainability and CE implementation

Supporting circular economy innovation: An analysis of a circular economy intervention in Wales.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently advised that “climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet” (2023, p.6). This threat underlines the importance of developing businesses innovation capabilities and implementing Circular Economy (CE) principles. Organisations that have developed innovation capabilities are most likely to implement CE principles within their organisations. However, the UK has suffered a ‘long tail of productivity’ largely due to the UK’s relatively low levels of innovation across the firm population. In Wales, the location of this study, output per hour worked was almost 16% below the UK average in 2021, suggesting that the levels of innovation capability might hinderCE implementation. Therefore, evidence on programmes that support organisations to develop their innovation capabilities and their CE understanding should be of interest to policymakers, academics, and practitioners. This paper presents data collected from a university designed CE innovation programme, the Cardiff Circular Economy Network, and suggests that the novel approach adopted enhanced the innovation capabilities and CE knowledge of participants

Circular Economy practices of Small to Medium Enterprises in South Wales

This research aimed to gain a better understanding of the Circular Economy (CE) practices of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales in order to give policy makers a clearer understanding of the challenges of encouraging businesses to incorporate CE practices. Therefore, this report sets out to understand the innovation practices and capabilities of SMEs and their incorporation of CE principles into their continuous improvement (CI) and new product and service development (NPD/SS) processes. Nascent research suggests that SMEs are more likely to adopt CE practices into their NPD/SS processes if they appear to add value for their goods and services . It would therefore appear beneficial to develop the innovative capacity of business in Wales if we are to see business incorporate CE principles into their products and services. The survey described in this report aimed to provide information to the CESME project, an Interreg Europe project. The CESME project aims to address and improve the effectiveness and impact of policy instruments, stimulating SMEs to overcome years of conventional production methods and shift towards green innovation – and circular economy at best. Specifically, the project aims to provide policy makers with the knowledge and understanding of the potentials within the green economy, and make them aware of the challenges and barriers that SMEs face in this regard. The Wales partner in the CESME project undertook a small research project to understand better the CE practices of SMEs in Wales and the extent of their innovation capabilities and so identify which sectors and size businesses might be more receptive to policy instrument

An empirical study on public sector versus third sector circular economy-oriented innovations

Extensive research has explored organisational dynamics across various sectors in relation to circular economy (CE) innovation practices. However, a critical gap exists in understanding CE innovation activities in the public sector versus the third sector. This distinction is crucial as the third sector’s role in CE innovation is growing, necessitating tailored policies instead of homogenous integration into public sector-based approaches. We address this gap by focusing on nuanced comparisons between the public and third sectors, delving into the motivations and constraints surrounding CE innovations across these different sectors. Employing an exploratory sequential design, we integrate qualitative insights from 12 interviews with quantitative measures derived from 153 survey responses within CE innovation communities. The findings reveal subtle yet significant disparities in innovation activities between the public and third sectors within a CE innovation community. Notably, cost factor differences related to the availability of finance and knowledge factors associated with the lack of information on technology emerge. This research contributes evidence-based insights, offering practitioners and policymakers a nuanced understanding of the motivations and constraints of circular economy innovation. These findings can be instrumental in steering the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, emphasising the need for tailored strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach

A communities of practice approach to promoting regional circular economy innovation: evidence from East Wales

With sustainability orientation and opportunities provided for economic growth, the circular economy is much promoted by the Welsh government in recent years. In this region, Communities of practice (CoP) are cultivated to link various industry sectors together, sharing knowledge and creating a practical solution to circular economy related challenges. While current literature provides the framework of a regional innovation ecosystem in the form of Triple Helix, the role of CoP is underexplored. The key research question of this paper is ‘how can the CoP approach cultivate regional circular economy innovation?’ Through an in-depth case study of the Communities of Circular Economy Innovation (CEIC) project in East Wales, the paper identifies the construct of CoP, its dynamic lifecycle, and the interaction between CoP and Triple Helix. Findings reveal that whilst universities and government play a leading role in innovation at early stages by deliberately establishing the CoP, the self-governance of CoP at later stages results in active influence on industry changes and policy designs. The paper contributes to the literature on micro-relations among regional innovation actors by highlighting the role of CoP in creating emerging new knowledge and tools. It also provides practical implications to industry and policy makers to promote a regional circular economy

Circular economy implementation: case studies in Wales

The recent IPPC report asserted: “To avoid mounting loss of life, biodiversity and infrastructure, ambitious, accelerated action is required to adapt to climate change, at the same time as making rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions” (IPCC, February 2022). The Welsh Government declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and their Net Zero Strategic Plan (2022) outlines the need to transition to a Circular Economy (CE) in Wales. This report aimed to support practitioners within public, private and third sector organisations by enhancing their knowledge of the implementation of CE principles. The ESF funded Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC) programme, delivered by Cardiff Met and Swansea University, encountered a few organisations implementing CE principles and many more looking for 'how to' examples of the application of CE principles. The CEIC programme was designed to support public service and third sector organisations coproduce new regional circular economy service solutions, through regional CE innovation communities of practice. We obtained the support of the Wales Innovation Network to provide ‘how to’ cases to inspire practitioners to implement CE principles and help Welsh Government encourage public, private and third sector organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to a CE as outlined in their ‘Beyond Recycling’ strategy

Prospective randomized trial of docetaxel versus doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Purpose: This phase III study compared docetaxel and doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer who had received previous alkylating agent-containing chemotherapy