Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'European framework programs'

This research helps in understanding the complex world of the competitive research in Europe, dealing in particular with Framework Programmes and the characteristics expected from research proposals in order to be funded. The European Commission uses Framework Programmes as financial policy action to support the achievement of its strategic objectives. The allocation of resources, through multiannual framework programmes, boosts research and innovation in all different fields regardless national, regional or economic logics: direct and competitive funds are allocated according to excellence, expected impacts and outcomes planned by proposals, through an ex ante peer review evaluation by selected and independent experts. Actors engaged in this competition are mainly universities, research centres, public bodies, NGOs and the private sector. In the last 20 years many Higher Education Systems in Europe have experienced a marked change in the funding mechanism: public funds have been more and more reducing pushing public universities and research centres to raise external funds. European Commission programmes are one of the main financial resource to be taken into consideration in order to fund research projects, development and innovation. Therefore competitiveness for the research sector have become a mantra, a pillar for strategic decisions at the governance level. This work, after a comprehensive description of the framework programmes, their history, the actors and the rules of the play, aims at explaining the reasons why some country gains more funds than others, why some organisation raise more funds than others and what fundamental rules have to be respected during the planning phase of a research project.

The purpose of this study is to determine the scientific and technological, economic, social and organizational impacts of the European Framework Programmes (FPs) on Turkish universities by focusing on the projects in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Energy, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology (KBBE) themes in order to understand, monitor and evaluate outcomes and impacts of FPs as well as to help decision makers and policy makers to develop strategies for maximizing benefits of participation. Data/document review and survey methods were used as evaluation methods. TÜ
BITAK and EC&rsquo
s data and document were reviewed. An online survey was sent to the academicians who have Seventh Framework Projects (FP7) projects in these themes in Turkey. Data that were gathered by survey were analyzed by using Mann-Whitney U Test Method. We concluded that the impacts of these four categories of FP7 projects were high on the universities. Value additions of scientific and technological impacts are relatively high compared to other impacts. Universities whose roles were coordinator or WP leader have higher impacts in all factors. Turkey'
s participation and success in the FP7 are growing thanks to TÜ
BITAK&rsquo
s effort, but further efforts are needed for meeting competitive participation within a defined strategy. Bearing in mind the results of the impact analyses, the study supports Turkey&rsquo
s continuity to forthcoming FPs but there is need for developing national strategies to maximize benefits of participation and to integrate the outcomes with the national innovation strategy.

This dissertation endeavours to address an identified gap in literature concerning the relationship between New Zealand and the European Union (EU) in the field of research, science and technology (RS&T). Examination of the partnership begins with the creation of the Science and Technological Cooperation (STC) Arrangement in 1991 and comes to a close in 2008, following the Arrangement’s ‘upgrade’ to an STC Agreement on 16 July. During this time, the intensification of the EU’s activities in RS&T is evident. The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) currently constitutes the most internationalised Programme to date. Identifying the complementary nature of New Zealand and EU research priorities thus suggests that now, more than ever, the New Zealand research community stands to gain from participation within such an inclusive venture. Aiming to assess the current status of New Zealand-EU research collaboration, the research identifies a number of recurring themes, both positive and negative, that influence the nature of the RS&T relationship. These themes focus on problems concerning visibility within the EU, geographical isolation from this important market, an absence of targeted domestic funding for New Zealand-EU RS&T collaboration and the unwieldy bureaucratic process of the Framework Programme. The research also determines the importance of both ‘official’ and ‘informal’ mechanisms’ in combating the outlined collaborative bottlenecks. Taking these themes into account, the thesis ultimately looks to provide recommendations concerning the future of New Zealand-EU engagement in this field.

L’innovation permet d’améliorer la santé des patients mais elle est aussi importante pour le développement économique du secteur pharmaceutique. En dépit de son importance, la définition de cette notion dans le domaine de la santé est très complexe. Dans notre travail nous apportons des éléments de réponse à la définition de la notion de « médicament innovant » dans une perspective communautaire et nationale. Puis nous avons procédé à une analyse des normes juridiques appliquées à la régulation du marché des médicaments innovants. L’Union européenne, ainsi que la France, mettent en œuvre des initiatives politiques favorisant la recherche dans le domaine de l’innovation pharmaceutique. Les normes juridiques sont utilisées pour organiser un accès précoce aux médicaments prometteurs ; elles peuvent également inciter au développement de médicaments innovants et jouer un rôle important dans leur valorisation. Une étude comparative entre la France et l’Angleterre a mis en évidence une tendance au développement d’outils similaires utilisés dans le champ de la régulation du marché des médicaments innovants. Enfin, dans ce domaine dans lequel l’innovation n’est pas définie par les usagers, le cadre juridique joue un rôle crucial, renforcé à l’heure actuelle par un contexte de contrainte budgétaire
Innovation improves the health of patients, and it is also important for economic development of the pharmaceutical sector. Despite its importance, the definition of this concept in the field of healthcare is very complicated. In our work we provide answers to the definition of the term "innovative drug" from European community and national perspectives. Then we analyze the use of legal norms in regulating the market of innovative medicines. The European Union and France have policy initiatives encouraging research of innovative drugs. Legal standards are used to organize early access to promising drugs, they also serve to promote the discovery of innovative drugs, as well as play an important role in the development of these drugs. A comparative study between France and England showed the tendency in using the same tool regulating the market of innovative drugs. Finally, in the field where innovation is not defined by the users a legal framework plays a crucial role, and considering current budget constraints, its role is strengthened

This thesis deals with the topic of innovations in the EU and the instruments of their support. The aim of this paper is to sum up the results of the support which was provided for innovations in the last decade and to identify possible problematic areas which hinder achieving the stated goals in this field. In the first part, after a short introduction where innovations and related terms are defined, innovations are put in context with the Lisbon strategy and the strategy Europe 2020 - the key European strategic documents. The second part focuses on the description of the EU financial instruments which are used to support the R&D&I in the Czech Republic. The final part deals with analysis of the current position of the European Union in the area of innovations and identifies the problematic areas.

This thesis aims to assess impacts of European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP) on Turkish participants, focusing on Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) Information Society Technologies (IST) priority. A two-sided approach was employed while assessing impacts. First, DELPHI method was used to quantify and prioritise expectations of the decision makers in key stakeholders
second, a survey was designed to measure additionalities and the level of achievements of program participants. Scientific and technological impacts, economic impacts, institutional impacts and impacts on collaboration and sectoral knowledge were questioned as four main impact criteria. It is demonstrated in survey results that, significantly high levels of impacts were achieved in scientific and technological impacts and impacts on collaborations and development of sectoral knowledge. Nonetheless, economic impacts were noted to be lowest among all impact factors. Level of impacts were tested for different control factors including project instrument, organization type, project activity, project role and received grant. Project role was proved to be the most important control factor affecting the level of impact. It is presented in comparison of decision makers&rsquo
expectations and participants&rsquo
achievements that, decision makers&rsquo
expectations were mostly satisfied by participants except for economic impacts. Turkish participants in FP6 IST field had significant impacts in three out of four main impact factors. Moreover, decision makers expectations were highly satisfied except for economic impact factors. The results of this study, relying on the assessed impacts of FP6 IST field, support Turkey&rsquo
s participation in forthcoming FPs.

The focus of this paper is on cross-region R&D collaboration funded by the 5th EU Framework Programme (FP5). The objective is to measure distance, institutional, language and technological barrier effects that may hamper collaborative activities between European regions. Particular emphasis is laid on measuring discrepancies between two types of collaborative R&D activities, those generating output in terms of scientific publications and those that do not. The study area is composed of 255 NUTS-2 regions that cover the pre-2007 member states of the European Union (excluding Malta and Cyprus) as well as Norway and Switzerland. We employ a negative binomial spatial interaction model specification to address the research question, along with an eigenvector spatial filtering technique suggested by Fischer and Griffith (2008) to account for the presence of network autocorrelation in the origin-destination cooperation data. The study provides evidence that the role of geographic distance as collaborative deterrent is significantly lower if collaborations generate scientific output. Institutional barriers do not play a significant role for collaborations with scientific output. Language and technological barriers are smaller but the estimates indicate no significant discrepancies between the two types of collaborative R&D activities that are in focus of this study. (authors' abstract)
Series: Working Papers in Regional Science

This thesis applies the neo-functionalist theory of integration to a study of the European technology policy, taking the BRITE-EURAM programme as a case study. A three- level mode of analysis is used to examine actor behaviour: actors at the micro-level, national technology systems, and the European-level institutions. The study makes a comparative analysis of participation by two of the European member states, the United Kingdom and Spain, to examine the community building processes that operated in each. The national institutional system in which economic actors operate influences their behaviour, and the analysis of the European technology collaboration identified the political changes that took place within the context of particular national institutional systems. One variable that is key to the process of integration is the technological capability of the national system. At the supranational level, the ideology and ideas underpinning technology policy created a market-based community, excluding other interests. The effect is to compromise any attempt to upgrade the common interest through directing technology policy towards economic and social cohesion.

This diploma thesis focuses on support of development, research and innovation in the European Union. The first part contains some definitions of terms development, research and innovation. It also provides a brief description of history of support for this sphere. On the example of Czech Republic this thesis describes sources, which can be used to get financial support. The final part evaluates the drawing of Structural funds in Czech Republic and also the participation of Czech scientists on framework programmes, which are supporting development, research and innovation.

The thesis focuses on theoretical and empirical analysis of the EU research policy and its impacts. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate effects of this policy on the financial management of universities, or more precisely the impact of financial rules defined by the European Commission (EC) in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) on the development of full cost methodologies at universities in the EU27. The thesis also analyzes the process of the preparation of the new FP8 HORIZON 2020 financial rules and asses if feedback and needs of participating universities are reflected and thus principles of European good governance are applied. In order to meet its goals, the thesis states three hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Universities from the EU27 that participate in FP7 develop full cost methodologies. Hypothesis 2: EC requirements in FP7 are one of the main drivers to implement full cost methodologies for universities form EU27. Hypothesis 3: Universities from the EU27 communicate development of their full cost methodologies with the EC. The thesis is organized into four chapters. The first one characterizes the concept of European good governance and one of its instruments, i.e. policy evaluation and its use in the thesis (including the analysis of performed questionnaire research). Second chapter defines the term of financial management and its use in the thesis. Third chapter describes the EU research policy, its historical development, main instruments (FPs), role of European institutions and attitude to full costing. The last forth chapter analyzes in details experience of universities form EU27 with development of full cost methodologies. Within its conclusions, the thesis proves that the EU research policy significantly influences the financial management of universities from EU27 and implementation of full cost methodologies by them. It is inter alia proved, that 70 % of universities from the EU27 that do not implement full costing in FP7 yet plan to introduce such methodologies in the future; that FP7 financial rules are drivers to implement full cost methodologies for almost 2/3 universities from the EU27 participating in FP7 and that 3/4 of universities form EU27 applying full costing in FP7 consulted on their methodologies with the EC. All three hypotheses thus were verified. Nevertheless, it was concluded that principles of European good governance are not satisfactory applied by the EC, because it does not support the use of full costing in HORIZON 2020 anymore.

This thesis focuses on the development proposal on the use of multimedia in primary and secondary schools. It specifies the conditions and requirements of entrepreneurs, who implement their business plan for development education and multimedia. Includes document preparation for applying for funding to support schools in the South Region in the development of multimedia in teaching.

Cette thèse a pour objectif de mesurer les effets des politiques d’innovation. D’abord, elle se penche sur les effets de la politique de l’Union Européenne intitulée Programmes Cadres de Recherche et Développement (PCRDT) sur l’innovation des régions des 27 pays de l’Union Européenne. Ensuite, elle apporte une analyse approfondie des effets des Pôles de Compétitivité sur le processus d’innovation des entreprises françaises et leurs performances.L’originalité de la thèse réside essentiellement dans la mobilisation de techniques novatrices d'évaluation macro et micro-économétriques des politiques publiques. Les résultats de ces travaux éclaireront le rôle et l’efficacité des Programmes Cadres de Recherche et Développement dans les dynamiques régionales d’innovation mais également l’efficacité de la politique des Pôles de Compétitivité sur les performances des entreprises françaises en termes d’innovation, d’incitation à l’investissement privée, de création d’emploi et de compétitivité sur le marché
This thesis aims at measuring the effects of innovation policies. It first focuses on the effects of the European Union (EU) policy titled Framework Programmes for Research and Development (FPs) on the regional innovation of the EU 27 countries. Thereafter, it brings a deep analysis of the effects of the French Competitiveness Clusters policy on firms’ innovation process and on their performances.The originality of the thesis lies in the mobilization of innovative macro and micro-econometric techniques to evaluate public policies. The results of this work will inform the role and effectiveness of the Framework Programmes for Research and Development in regional innovation dynamics, but also the effectiveness of the Competitiveness Clusters policy on French firms’ performances in terms of innovation, incentives for private investments, job creation and market competitiveness

This master‘s thesis describes the process associated with financial benefit from ESF. It includes the feasibility study concept and the barriers to realization of project. The feasibility study is integral part of appeal for financial benefit from ESF.

Pour enrayer la progression des résistances bactériennes aux antibiotiques (AB), liée, en partie, à un mésusage de ces médicaments, l’Union européenne (UE) s’est mobilisée en adoptant, en 2001, une recommandation prônant un usage prudent des AB. En 2008, sous l’égide de la Commission européenne, nous avons évalué la mise en œuvre de cette recommandation et son impact dans les Etats membres, et nous avons réalisé une analyse du cadre juridique développé dans 12 de ces Etats. De plus, une étude a été conduite entre 2005 et 2009 sur 74 établissements de santé (ES) volontaires du Sud-Ouest de la France pour identifier l’impact du cadre juridique sur l’évolution des consommations d’AB. Les Etats de l’UE ont engagé un grand nombre d’actions pour rationaliser l’utilisation des AB, mais des progrès dans le champ de l’évaluation demeurent nécessaires. Il ressort de l’analyse sur 12 Etats qu’un cadre juridique plus important semble associé à une plus grande sensibilisation de la population générale et à une meilleure maîtrise de la consommation de fluoroquinolones. Dans les ES du Sud-Ouest, les politiques locales de bon usage des AB ont progressé. Une combinaison de mesures telles que la présence d’un référent « AB », l’organisation de formations et le recours à des prescriptions à durée limitée, était associée à une réduction significative de la consommation des fluoroquinolones. L’amélioration de l’utilisation des AB implique de préciser les conditions d’efficacité optimale des actions et de renforcer l’encadrement juridique dans les Etats de l’UE, notamment en matière de surveillance, d’évaluation, de moyens d’incitation, en l’adaptant aux caractéristiques nationales
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem worldwide. As antibiotic (AB) use is one of the drivers of AMR, the Council of the European Union adopted in 2001 a recommendation on the prudent use of antimicrobial agents. To analyze the way Member States (MS) had implemented this recommendation and to approach its efficacy, we performed a survey under the auspices of the European Commission in 2008, completed by a thorough analysis of the legal framework in twelve Member States. In addition, relationships between AB stewardship programmes (ABS) and trends in AB consumption were studied from 2005 to 2009 in 74 voluntary hospitals in Southwestern France. MS had implemented a broad range of activities to improve AB use, but differences were seen namely in evaluation systems. Further analysis in 12 MS highlighted discrepancies regarding the scope of the legal framework, incentives for its enforcement, and means of evaluation. A legal framework regarding surveillance and national organisation seemed in favor of higher citizens’ knowledge and awareness and appeared to be associated with lower increase in fluoroquinolone (FQ) use. In French hospitals, ABS had sharply improved and AB consumption remained stable when adjusted on activity. The presence of an antibiotic advisor combined with provision of training and use of prescriptions with stop-orders was associated with a significant decrease in FQ use. Progress in the use of AB could be achieved by sharing experience on best practices and by enforcing legal framework, tailored to MS organisation and epidemiology, targeting activities such as surveillance and evaluation

Петренко, Н. С. Програмне забезпечення інноваційного розвитку України в умовах євроінтеграції : дис. ... канд. екон. наук : 08.00.08 / Н. С. Петренко. - Київ, 2017. - 239 с.
У дисертаційній роботі представлено теоретичне узагальнення та запропоновано класифікацію інтеграційних процесів. Встановлено основні принципи інтеграційних процесів і форми взаємодії в інноваційній сфері. Досліджено нормативно-правове забезпечення України та ЄС в умовах євроінтеграції. Проведено аналіз здійснення Україною інтеграції в європейський інноваційний простір через євроінтеграційні програми. Продемонстровано, що для збереження, розвитку й ефективного використання у процесі реалізації стратегії інноваційного розвитку національної економіки необхідне здійснення заходів щодо вдосконалення державного механізму управління науково-технічною та інноваційною сферою й створення сприятливих умов для активізації науково-технічної діяльності, у тому числі європейської, усіх суб’єктів сфери науки, техніки, інновацій. Обґрунтовано доцільність проведення системного теоретичного, статистичного та соціологічного дослідження, що виявляє причинно-наслідкові зв’язки між розвитком національного науково-технологічного потенціалу та посиленням інтеграції. Запропоновано структурну модель стратегії реалізації та прийняття рішень щодо рівня інтеграційної стратегії. Розроблено економіко-математичну модель реалізації інтеграції України до Європейського Союзу.
предложена классификация интеграционных процессов. Установлены основные принципы интеграционных процессов и формы взаимодействия в инновационной сфере. Исследовано нормативно-правовое обеспечение Украины и ЕС в условиях евроинтеграции. Проведен анализ осуществления Украиной интеграции в европейское инновационное пространство через евроинтеграционные программы. Продемонстрировано, что для сохранения, развития и эффективного использования в процессе реализации стратегии инновационного развития национальной экономики необходимо осуществление мер по совершенствованию государственного механизма управления научно-технической и инновационной сферы и создания благоприятных условий для активизации научно-технической деятельности, в том числе европейской, всех субъектов объектов сферы науки, техники, инноваций. Обоснована целесообразность проведения системного теоретического, статистического и социологического исследования, которая выявляет причинно-следственные связи между развитием национального научно-технологического потенциала и усилением интеграции. Предложена структурная модель стратегии реализации и принятия решений относительно уровня интеграционной стратегии. Разработана экономико-математическая модель реализации интеграции Украины в Европейский Союз.
The dissertation is devoted to solving an important scientific problem of discourse of the need for provision of programs integration processes, as one of the most important components of the implementation of the national innovation strategy of Ukraine. The basic principles of integration processes (implementation of European scientific and technical programs, respect for sovereignty, institutionalization, voluntariness, mutual benefit, transparency, mutual responsibility, involvement, dynamism, etc.) and the form of interaction in the innovation sphere (conducting joint research and technological development, information exchange, joint training of specialists, technical assistance, activities in the framework of international centers, symposiums, conferences, staff exchange, etc.). The regulatory support Ukraine and the EU in terms of European integration is studied. It was discovered that the legal and regulatory framework of Ukraine and the EU slowly evolved from the provision of the development of European integration programs only with the European countries to the expansion of the possibility of involving participants from third countries at the stage of the Framework Programs (candidate countries, neighboring countries, developing countries) in the modern stage. The analysis of the prerequisites for Ukraine's effective integration into the European innovation space through the European integration program has been carried out, which shows that they are enough to preserve the place of the state among countries with real opportunities for access to European markets of science-intensive products, active participation in the process of international division of labor in innovation sphere. It has been demonstrated that in order to preserve, develop and effectively use in the process of realization of the strategy of innovation development of the national economy, it is necessary to implement measures aimed at improving the state mechanism of management of the scientific, technical and innovation sphere and creation of favorable conditions for activation of scientific and technical activities, including European, all sub objects of the sphere of science, technology, innovations. The expediency of conducting a systematic theoretical, statistical and sociological research, which reveals causal relationships between the development of national scientific and technological potential and the strengthening of integration, is substantiated. To enhance and increase the effectiveness of European cooperation in Ukraine, state measures are needed to address two mutually complementary areas: 1) the reform of the internal conditions for the functioning of the innovation sphere; 2) improving the conditions for the implementation of integration. These should be comprehensive measures concerning the improvement of the organizational and legal support of the innovation sphere, the balancing of the financing system, the provision of administrative support, infrastructure development, the deepening of the science-engineering-production relations, and so on. The proposed structural model of the strategy of implementing Ukraine's innovative cooperation in the main integration directions allows us to take into account the goals and potential of the state, according to which the most promising in the short and medium term will be interaction with the countries of the post-Soviet space, which should be subject to long-term plans of integration with the EU. In order to make the most effective use of the advantages of different areas of European integration, it is expedient to form and implement a system of priorities in two main forms: implementation of European integration programs; solving individual innovation problems, tasks, topics. Scientific and technical cooperation with the countries that are priority in terms of the development of deep and comprehensive European relations, have significant scientific and technical potential, as well as with which there are significant prospects for convergence in the medium and long term, will be expedient to form within the framework of European integration programs. Therefore, there is a need to develop a mechanism for forming a system of priorities at the primary stage of decision-making on the formation of European integration programs. It was for this purpose that an economic-mathematical model for implementing Ukraine's integration into the European Union was developed, based on an analysis of the main indicators of economic interdependence and readiness of scientific and technical potential for joint activities.

In this paper we estimate space-time impacts of the embeddedness in R&D networks on regional knowledge production by means of a dynamic spatial panel data model with non-linear effects for a set of 229 European NUTS-2 regions in the period 1999-2009. Embeddedness refers to the positioning in networks where nodes represent regions that are linked by joint R&D endeavours in European Framework Programmes. We observe positive immediate impacts on regional knowledge production arising from increased embeddedness in EU funded R&D networks, in particular for regions with lower own knowledge endowments. However, long-term impacts of R&D network embeddedness are comparatively small.(authors' abstract)
Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

Lo scopo di questo studio di dottorato è quello di analizzare e valutare il coinvolgimento delle parti interessate (stakeholder) nei processi decisionali strategici per il settore dell'alimentazione e dell'agricoltura biologica in Europa. La tesi presenta tre casi studio. Il primo caso di studio indaga, con l’utilizzo della metodologia Q di Stephenson, le prospettive degli stakeholder rispetto ad un futuro desiderato, una visione condivisa, per il settore biologico in Europa. Il secondo si concentra sulla progettazione di possibili scenari sviluppati in modo partecipativo tramite il coinvolgimento di esperti qualificati. I terzo caso di studio analizza il coinvolgimento delle parti interessate nella costituzione e sviluppo della Piattaforma Tecnologia Europea per la ricerca e l'innovazione del Biologico e su come questa abbia avuto un impatto sulle politiche Europee di Ricerca and Innovazione. Le organizzazioni coinvolte nei casi studio sono le organizzazioni più rappresentative del settore biologico in Europa e coinvolgono una vasta gamma di membri: • La prima, IFOAM EU, associa organizzazioni di base e rappresentanti del settore, dalle aziende agricole alle Piccole Medie Imprese. • La seconda, TP Organics, coinvolge attivamente organizzazioni europee (ONG / gruppi di interesse), imprese, organizzazioni della società civile, ricercatori ed enti pubblici a livello nazionale ed internazionale attivi nel campo dell'agricoltura biologica e dello sviluppo sostenibile. In conclusione, il successo del coinvolgimento delle parti interessate nei processi decisionali dipende considerevolmente dalla metodologia applicata per coinvolgere i partecipanti e dal modo in cui gli obiettivi sono definiti. Gli approcci al processo decisionale strategico esplorati in questo studio hanno fornito interessanti modelli di partecipazione e raccomandazioni che possono essere applicate allo sviluppo del settore biologico in futuro.
The aim of this PhD study was to analyse and evaluate stakeholder involvement in strategic decision making for the organic food and farming sector. It presents three case studies. The first case study investigates stakeholder perspectives on a desired future for the organic sector in Europe in order to develop a shared vision using the Stephenson’s Q methodology. The second case study focused on how to support the organic sector in designing possible futures using participatory scenario analysis based on qualified expert assessment. The third case study analysed stakeholder involvement in the establishment and development of the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming Research and Innovation – TP Organics – and its impact on European Research and Innovation policies. The organisations involved in the case studies are the most representative organisations for the organic food and farming sector in Europe and involve a broad range of members: • The first, IFOAM EU, has a membership of grass-roots organisations as well as representatives of the organic food and farming business sector (from producers to SMEs) • The second, TP Organics, actively engages EU umbrella organisations (NGOs/Interest groups), businesses, civil society organisations, researchers and national and EU-level public actors in the field of organic agriculture and sustainable development. In conclusion, the success of stakeholder involvement in decision making processes depends very much on the methodology applied to involve the participants and on how well the objectives are defined. The approaches to strategic decision making explored in this study have provided interesting models of stakeholder participation and have resulted in recommendations which can be applied to the development of the organic food and farming sector in the future.

Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, 2014
Newborn Screening Programs were created with the intention to improve the life and health of newborn suffering from rare conditions. These programs allow the early clinical management of the diseases, preventing its clinical development and symptoms. However, the setting of such a program is harder than it resembles. The basic principles that are taken into consideration for setting the panel of screened condition are the same around Europe. Still, national pressures and conditions play an important role in the establishment of the panel which explain the variations among Europe. With the genomics era, the national differences among Europe member countries increased. The technological developments allowed the access to a lot more information than required for a screening test and to the uncertainty about what to do with it. It also opened doors to a change in the paradigm of newborn screening, where samples collected to perform screening could be used to the whole population benefit through epidemiological testing and research in comparison to the initial newborn welfare. Changing the base in which Newborn Screening Programs where initially set up raised the need for changes in the whole infrastructure that supports the program: informed consent, parental education, support to positively screened child, storage of samples, etc. The Portuguese Newborn Screening Program came a long way since its establishment. The investments allowed the enlargement of the number of screened diseases, and the Screening Program is well documented in the Portuguese law. However, the improvement of a Screening Program is a work in progress and there are still components of the Portuguese one that need revision. The collaboration among European Union member states is a way to improve the European Screening Programs through collaboration and regulation at a central level. The exchange of expertise can improve the programs in terms of screening tests and to fight ethical dilemmas intrinsic to the technological developments in Newborn Screening.

Mestrado em Economia Internacional e Estudos Europeus
Com este trabalho quisemos transmitir uma visão dos principais programas comunitários que representam para as empresas portuguesas a oportunidade de adquirir financiamento de baixo custo para apoiar atividades de inovação, investigação de ponta e competitivas, com um valor acrescentado europeu. Também procurámos avaliar e retirar algumas conclusões sobre o comportamento destas ao longo do atual programa-quadro. Quais foram os seus perfis das empresas? Quais foram os principais programas comunitários usados? Qual é o futuro destes programas? Qual foi o impacto da crise financeira sobre a participação das empresas? Estas foram algumas das perguntas que procuramos responder. Para sobreviver neste mundo globalizado, com a Europa atravessar uma crise financeira, de dívida e de confiança, com os governos dos estados membros e sistemas financeiros em desordem, as empresas têm de continuar a investir e a expandir fronteiras do conhecimento. Como tal, os instrumentos da Comissão Europeia tornaram-se um mecanismo para impulsionar a agenda europeia de crescimento e cooperação, e simultaneamente de salvação para muitas pequenas e médias empresas.
In this work we tried to give an overview of the main community programmes that are relevant Portuguese businesses, as a way to acquire low cost financing to support innovative, cutting edge and competitive activities with a European added value. Also, we tried to assess their behaviour and make some conclusions regarding their participation over the current framework programme. Which were the firms? profiles? Which were the primary programmes they have used? What is the future of these programmes? What was the impact of the financial crisis on firm?s participation? These were some of the questions we seek to answer. To survive in a globalised world, in the midst of a crisis-struck Europe, with governments and financial systems in disarray, businesses have to keep investing and pushing knowledge boundaries. As such, the instruments of the European Commission have become a mechanism to overcome present difficulties for many small and medium enterprises.

Rozprawa doktorska poświęcona jest tematyce finansowania prac badawczo –rozwojowych na poziomie Unii Europejskiej ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Siódmego Programu Ramowego Badań i Rozwoju Technologicznego (7PR), który był realizowany w latach 2007 – 2013. Zasadniczym celem pracy jest całościowa analiza strukturalno – funkcjonalna 7PR oraz na ile przyczynił się on do postępu integracji w tej dziedzinie w ramach Unii Europejskiej poprzez umocnienie wspólnotowości i podniesienie międzynarodowej konkurencyjności zjednoczonej Europy. W ramach pracy omówiony został proces integracji sfery B+R od powstania Wspólnot Europejskich, poprzez różnego rodzaju programy badawcze, rozpoczęcie 1. Programu Ramowego i oficjalne zakończenia w 2013 r. 7. Programu Ramowego. Ponadto została przedstawiona rola i zaangażowanie poszczególnych instytucji UE w zakresie ustanowienia oraz implementacji 7PR i rezultaty wybranych części programu. Zarządzanie programem jest bardzo złożone co niewątpliwie wpływa bezpośrednio na jego efektywność, o czym można było się przekonać zwłaszcza na początku implementacji 7PR przez Komisję Europejską i jej agencje wykonawcze. Najistotniejszym elementem pracy jest analiza udziału poszczególnych podmiotów oraz krajów w 7 . Programie Ramowym w relacji do powszechnie stosowanych wskaźników w dziedzinie badań i rozwoju. W większości najważniejszych wskaźników dotyczących kondycji sfery B+R w poszczególnych krajach, najlepsze rezultaty osiągają kraje UE15. Europejski rynek wewnętrzny badań naukowych rozwija się nierównomiernie i w sposób niezrównoważony, a w związku z tym zauważa się dwie prędkości rozwoju sfery B+R w Europie co oznacza, że kraje UE15 a zwłaszcza jej trzon są bardzo dobrze zintegrowane między sobą w sferze badan i rozwoju. Kraje UE13, które są pełnoprawnymi członkami stosunkowo nie dawno dość słabo uczestniczą w całym procesie czego dowodem są statystyki udziału w projektach 7PR, który stanowi główny filar europejskiej polityki prac badawczo – rozwojowych. Proces integracji sfery B+R w Europie trwa i jest jeszcze wiele do zrobienia o czym świadczy liczba powiązań współpracy pomiędzy poszczególnym krajami czy regionami UE. Kraje UE13 jeszcze przez wiele lat będą się integrować z krajami piętnastki. Im lepiej będzie zintegrowana cała UE w dziedzinie B+R, tym będzie miała większe szanse konkurowania w tym zakresie na poziomie globalnym. Wykorzystanie potencjału naukowego i innowacyjnego wszystkich krajów i regionów UE jest niewątpliwie bardzo dużym wyzwaniem dla państw członkowskich i instytucji europejskich. Trzeba mieć na uwadze fakt, że ponad 70% nowej wiedzy na świecie jest wytwarzane poza Europą i na przestrzeni ostatnich lat widoczny jest znaczący spadek jej udziału w tym zakresie. W dwudziestym wieku prym w dziedzinie badań naukowych wiodły UE i USA. Jednakże pod koniec ubiegłego stulecia rozpoczął się proces w którym, coraz większy udział w tej dziedzinie przypada głównie krajom azjatyckim oraz innym krajom rozwijającym się. Przeprowadzona na łamach pracy całościowa analiza strukturalno – funkcjonalna 7PR umożliwiła potwierdzenie sformułowanej we wstępie hipotezy, że polityka prac badawczo – rozwojowych Unii Europejskiej w latach 2007-2013 i jej główny instrument – 7PR nie zintegrował w dostatecznym stopniu Europejskiej Przestrzeni Badawczej i nie zapewnił na odpowiednim poziomie uczestnictwa podmiotów B+R z poszczególnych krajów członkowskich UE w programie.
The doctoral thesis is dedicated to the funding of research and development activities at the European Union level with particular emphasis on the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) which was implemented from 2007 until 2013. The essential objective of this thesis is an overall analysis of FP7 from structural and functional perspective and how it has contributed to the integration progress in this area in European Union through strengthening community and increasing the competitiveness of united Europe. Within the thesis the process of integration of R&D area has been analysed since the establishment of the European Communities, through various research programmes, including the start of the first Framework Programme and the official end of the 7th Framework Programme in 2013. Additionally the role and involvement of various EU institutions in the process of FP7 establishment and implementation were presented including selected parts of the programme. Program management is very complex which undoubtedly has a direct impact on its effectiveness, which has been experienced by applicants at the beginning of the implementation of FP7 by the European Commission and its executive agencies. The most important element of this PhD is the analysis of the participation of different organizations and countries in the 7th Framework Programme in relation to the commonly used indicators in the field of research and development. In most important R&D indicators the best results have been achieved by the EU15 countries. The European internal research market is developing unevenly and in an unsustainable way, and therefore a two-speed development of R&D in Europe have been noted, meaning that the EU15 and especially its core are very well integrated with each other in the sphere of research and development. The EU13 countries which are full members relatively not long enough are weakly involved in the whole process and it is proved by the participation in FP7 projects statistics, which is the main pillar of European research - development policy. The process of integration of R&D in Europe continues and there is still much to be done. It is proven by the number of links of cooperation between individual countries or regions of the EU. The integration process between EU15 and EU13 is ongoing and will be continued in the future. The better the entire EU will be integrated with the field of R&D, the more chances it will have to compete in this area at the global level. The proper use of scientific potential and innovative solutions of all EU countries and regions is undoubtedly a very big challenge for the Member States and European institutions. In fact, over than 70% of new knowledge in the world is produced outside Europe and during recent years a significant drop is observed in its share in this regard. In the twentieth century the leadership in research were led by the EU and the USA. However, at the end of the last century there began the process in which more and more Asian countries and other developing countries are involved. The overall structural and functional analysis of FP7 enabled the confirmation of the hypothesis formulated in the introduction that the European Union research - development policy in the period 2007-2013 and its main instrument, FP7 - has not sufficiently integrated the European Research Area and has not provided the appropriate level of involvement of R&D organizations from the respective EU Member States in this particular programme.

This thesis is concerned with the topic of research evaluation by bibliometric methods at European level. European level is defined in two perspectives: first as a set of countries grouped in EU (and its historic predecessors), second the Framework Programmes were appointed as a representative of pan-European research. It is investigated how bibliometric methods are used in a research development and evaluation on both political and academic level. The thesis maps the history of use of bibliometric methods and indicators in great detail and it analyzes the aim and impact of such use. The rationale of use of those methods as well as the enablers such as availability of data are investigated. An experiment of constructing and analyzing the set of relevant data is pursued to assess the relevancy and feasibility of such analysis. Based on the findings the thesis summarizes the options and opportunities of bibliometrics as a method for formation and evaluation of European research.

A nanotecnologia é uma área científica emergente cobiçada por quase todos os países industrializados. Sendo uma área científica e tecnológica multidisciplinar com aplicação em diversos sectores sócio-económicos, requer do tecido económico e científico, novas formas de organização e cooperação. O objectivo deste estudo é compreender as relações entre instituições científicas e tecnológicas proporcionados pelo desenvolvimento do sector das nanociências e nanotecnologia em Portugal. Partindo dos dados dos projectos do 7º Programa-Quadro europeu paras as Nanociências, nanotecnologias, Materiais e novas tecnologias de Produção (7ºPQ-NMP), e com recurso à Analise de Redes Sociais, foi possível caracterizar as redes de colaboração internacional, científica e tecnológica, nas quais Portugal participa. Os resultados obtidos foram conducentes com o enquadramento teórico proposto, mostrando que sector da nanotecnologia, no Sistema Científico e Tecnológico Nacional é caracterizado por uma forte presença de instituições do Ensino Superior e que o tecido empresarial e industrial, procura não só a colaboração com as universidades, como também parcerias internacionais. Verifica-se ainda que o 7ºPQ-NMP é um instrumento inclusivo que promove a colaboração em rede e proporciona a disseminação de conhecimentos e tecnologias.
Nanotechnology is an emerging scientific area coveted by almost all industrialized countries. Being a multidisciplinary scientific and technological area with applications in several socio-economic sectors, requires from the economic and scientific landscape a new form of organization and cooperation. The aim of this study is to understand the relationships between scientific and technological institutions provided by the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology sector in Portugal. From the data of the 7th European Framework Programme projects for Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Technologies Production (FP7-NMP), and the Analysis of Social Networks methodology, it was possible to characterize the networks of international collaboration in science and technology in which Portugal participates. The results were conducive to the proposed theoretical framework, showing that the nanotechnology sector in National Science and Technology System is characterized by a strong presence of higher education institutions and the business community. The industrial sector demand not only the collaboration with universities as well as international partnerships. There is still the FP7-NMP is a comprehensive tool that promotes collaborative networking and provides the dissemination of knowledge and technology.

The aim of this work is to get acquainted with possibilities of using financial resources for the Czech Republic as an EU member. There are mentioned synopses here of possibilities of using the structural funds of EU and pre-accession financial support. The work is focused on the Operational programme of Rural development and multifunction agriculture 2004 {--} 2006 and its evaluation in terms of formal EU requirements and in terms of utilizing of financial sources. In the second part of the work this programme is described including fundamentals of projects preparation and financial supports administration. The work is further focused on the financial framework and summary of using from this programme for individual years, regions and measures. Based on a database of the companies which asked for financial support within this programme, there are several economic indicators calculated. The work ends with assessment of possibilities of financial resources from EU, evaluation of the OP of Agriculture and adumbration of the situation of programme continuing for the period 2007 {--} 2013.

The diploma thesis deals with the topic of integration of the Czech republic to the European Union and its teaching in civic education at lower secondary school. By the initial analysis of the work I will set down the most important outcomes in curriculum the task of the didactic procedures. The topic is represented in the educational area Man in Society and in the cross- curricural subject Education Towards Thinking in European and Global Contexts contained in Framework Education Programme for Elementary Education. Suggestions of didactic procedures are the main part of the thesis. They will follow the pupils' own experience and they should help them to realize the ifluence of membership in the European Union on their everyday life. Each topic begins with an introduction of the issue, which contains a brief theoretical background of the topic. The thesis will present selected actual problem solved at the European level, students will be led to critical thinking and expressing their own attitude based on orientation in legal and social aspects. The thesis will contain information background for teachers and specific didactic materials for pupils.

O desenvolvimento do sistema de inovação em nanotecnologia no Espaço Europeu de Investigação foi moldado pelas políticas públicas europeias e nacionais. Em particular, os Programas Quadro promovidos pela Comissão Europeia a par de outras instituições europeias, tiveram e continuam ter um papel preponderante no desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico dos Estados-membros. Esta investigação propõe um modelo de análise institucional aos sistemas de inovação europeus, no setor da nanotecnologia, determinado pelas relações e interligações, entre todos os atores institucionais dos sistemas socioeconómicos e políticos. Numa abordagem, sui generis ao neo-institucionalismo, foi possível identificar três dimensões institucionais impactantes dos sistemas de inovação. A implementação de métodos estatísticos baseados na família de grafos aleatórios exponenciais (i.e. Exponential Random Graph Models ou ERGMs), permitiu avaliar o impacto das três dimensões institucionais dos sistemas de inovação. Os resultados empíricos, revelam a importância de determinados por estes fatores institucionais, nas configurações de rede entre os atores, que integram os projetos de inovação do 7º Programa-Quadro em nanotecnologia. Os resultados, demonstram ainda que a introdução de técnicas avançadas em Análise de Redes Sociais, permitem a compreensão dos fenómenos de interação entre atores dos sistemas de inovação e a avaliação das políticas públicas, ao nível institucional.
The development of the nanotechnology innovation system in the European Research Area has been shaped by European and national public policies. Particularly, the Framework Programs promoted by the European Commission, alongside other European institutions have had and continue to play a leading role in the scientific and technological development of the EU Member States. This research proposes a model of institutional analysis for European innovation systems in the nanotechnology sector, determined by the relationships and interconnections, among all institutional actors of socioeconomic and polítical systems. In a sui generis approach to neo-institutionalism, it was possible to identify three major institutional dimensions of innovation systems. The deployment of statistical methods based on the Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) allowed us to evaluate the impact of these three institutional dimensions of innovation systems. The empirical results reveal the importance of this institutional factors in the network configurations, between the actors that are part innovation projects of the 7th Framework Program on nanotechnology. The results also show that, the introduction of advanced techniques in Social Network Analysis, allow the understanding the interaction phenomena between actors of innovation systems and the evaluation of public policies at institutional level.

The European Union (EU) puts more emphasis on innovation as a key means for regaining and maintaining competitiveness, a trait it lags behind in when compared to its main global competitors. It therefore possesses a range of tools designed to support innovative activities of firms and to improve the overall environment of innovation in the European Union and Member States. This thesis outlines/describes the major milestones in the development of innovation policies in the Czech Republic and the EU and focuses on supporting innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic via measures derived from the EU's financial tools. Special emphasis is applied to the Operational Programme Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OPIE) that in the Czech Republic is the main tool used to support innovation in firms. The main problem areas that may pose barriers to active impact for this support are identified on the basis of programme documents, assessment reports, statistical data on the programmes and qualitative information yielded from interviews with firm representatives experienced in this type of support. With regard to the findings of this assessment, the thesis attempts to frame suggestions that can eliminate the identified shortcomings and recommendations that can form the position of...

The diploma thesis Games for Vocabulary Revision at A2 level (according to CEFR) is focused on the possible ways how to use games for vocabulary revision in English language teaching at lower secondary schools. In the theoretical part there is mainly described the theoretical view on games and their importance for language teaching. There is a description of different kinds of games and their basic typology in general, the language game and its typology and also the theory of vocabulary revision. There are also described the several types of books written by different authors that can be used for vocabulary revision. The practical part is focused on the basic description of documents such as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (level A2), the Framework Educational Programme and the School Educational Programme, that were used in my project at lower secondary school. In the next part, there is a detailed description of the collection of games that were used in the lessons of English. These games were focused on vocabulary revision according to the particular coursebook in the particular class. The main aim of this diploma thesis is to discover if it is possible to include games to language teaching and if the game can motivate the pupils for their active participation in the classroom.

European Schools are educational establishments in some European Union countries, providing the children of employees of the European institutions a multilingual and multicultural education in nursery, primary and secondary levels. Due to the multiculturalism, for the successful functioning and management of the system, it is necessary to find compromises. It is on a similar principle that the new curriculum of Early Education in European schools - Early Education Curriculum is based. The first part of my work is the presentation of the European Schools system (its history, principles, structure, functioning) and of the Early Education Curriculum. The aim of the next section is to compare this Curriculum and the Czech Framework Education Programme for Early Education, seeking for mutual inspiration and ideas in both systems. This is a theoretical and analytical comparison of the documents with a deeper focus on cooperation with parents, transition between nursery and primary school, and evaluation methods. Several videos, interviews and responses to the questionnaire answered by the teachers in the European Schools illustrate the application of the the Curriculum in the practice of the European Schools, particularly in the monitored areas. A collected set of opinions of the Czech nursery teachers on the...

The task of contemporary education is not only to equip pupils with skills and knowledge, but to give them postures and values as well. That is one of the goals of the so-called cross-curricular subjects, which were brought by the education reformation accomplished several years ago. This area is as new for many teachers as it is for pupils and that is the reason why this master thesis was created. It provides basic information about cross-curricular subjects and supplies options for their practical implementation in the education. The theoretical section aims at the characterization of Czech and foreign cross-curricular subjects and their mutual comparison. The research section, among others, contains practical suggestions interconnecting the cross-curricular subjects with natural sciences education, and some of them have been verified in practice. Questionnaire survey follows, finding out the position of high school students towards the cross-curricular subjects and towards key-competence developing activities. Students also expressed their opinion on the practical suggestions application during education in this survey. In conclusion of the study, the observed results were evaluated and compared with the literature and author's opinions.

Abstract In our dissertation we address the needs rooting in the ongoing process of systematic efforts to improve the Czech educational system. Mainly, we focus on the question of how to implement the cross-curricular topic Multicultural Education into English language classes at lower and upper secondary schools. As Multicultural Education, along with the other cross-curricular topics, has become an obligatory and essential part of the reformed Czech curricula. The author of this dissertation is employed with the English Department at the Faculty of Education of The University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. That is why we aim to introduce the theoretical background and history of the cross-curricular topic Multicultural Education in the Czech educational system. Then, based on that theoretical background, we shall design and run a course at the Pedagogical faculty for our students (teachers-to-be) that will provide them with sufficient amount of theory. Within the course the students will be given enough practical examples of the implementation of Multicultural Education into English classes when combining cultural and linguistic aims and at the end of the course we will allow the students to design and try such a class during their peer teaching. We will also publish the results of the course for...