Welcome to the DNBN Interview Series! Here, we delve into the minds of fascinating individuals from all walks of life, asking them ten thought-provoking questions that reveal their unique stories, insights, and experiences. Whether they're leaders in their field, rising stars, or unsung heroes, each guest brings something special to the table. Join us as we uncover the journeys, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped these intriguing personalities. Get ready for candid conversations and inspiring tales that will leave you thinking long after the interview ends. The second one out is Prof. dr. Paul Louis Iske, KnoCom, The Netherlands
1. Innovation Landscape
How would you describe the evolution of the innovation landscape in Norway over the past 30 years, and how does it compare to the Netherlands?
As I true fan of Norway, I’ve been travelling many times the country for more than 40 years, both as tourist and later also professionally. Over the past 30 years, Norway’s innovation landscape has evolved significantly. There’s been a strong emphasis on sustainability and technology-driven solutions, especially in the energy sector. The Netherlands, on the other hand, has maintained a steady focus on innovation, leveraging its well-established infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit. While Norway has truly excelled in clean energy innovations, the Netherlands has fostered a broader spectrum of innovative activities. This is largely thanks to our dense network of startups and well-integrated innovation ecosystems. Personally, I think the diversity in innovation sectors is one of the Netherlands’ greatest strengths.
2. Cultural Influences
How do cultural differences between Norway and the Netherlands influence the approach to innovation and creativity in each country?
For my work, especially as CFO (Chief Failure Officer) of the Institute of Brilliant Failures, intercultural aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship fascinate me. Also in the comparison of the innovation climate in the Netherlands and Norway, cultural differences play a crucial role. Norway’s collaborative and egalitarian culture promotes a consensus-driven approach to innovation, fostering an environment where diverse ideas are valued. In contrast, the Netherlands, with its pragmatic and open-minded culture, encourages a more individualistic and risk-taking attitude towards innovation. These cultural nuances significantly influence how creativity is harnessed and implemented in each country. From my experience, the Dutch willingness to explore new markets and to take risks often leads to innovations, but the Norwegian model’s strength in consensus-building ensures broad support for new ideas.
3. Entrepreneurial Mindset
What are some key characteristics of the Dutch entrepreneurial mindset that you believe Norwegians could benefit from adopting?
Throughout history, Dutch entrepreneurial mindset is characterized by pragmatism, resilience, and a strong international orientation. Dutch entrepreneurs are known for their ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and for their innovative problem-solving skills. I believe Norwegians could greatly benefit from adopting a similar approach, emphasizing agility and a global perspective in their entrepreneurial endeavors. The Dutch ability to pivot and innovate rapidly in response to market demands is something that can really enhance competitiveness.
4. Educational Systems
How do the educational systems in Norway and the Netherlands differ in terms of fostering creativity and innovation among students?
The Dutch educational system places a strong emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. I am not really an expert on the educational system in Norway, but to me it seems that Norway’s educational system is more focused on fostering collaboration and social responsibility, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Both systems have their strengths, but in my opinion, the Netherlands’ focus on practical skills and entrepreneurship can be particularly effective in nurturing innovation. Encouraging students to think outside the box and take initiative is crucial for developing future innovators. If we would combine the strengths of both systems, we might end up with the ideal mix for sustainable innovation!
5. Policy and Support
What roles do government policies and support structures play in promoting innovation in Norway compared to the Netherlands?
Government policies and support structures are pivotal in promoting innovation. The Netherlands has a well-developed framework for supporting startups and innovation through various grants, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships. Of course, new developments and continuing support depend on the economic and political climate. Norway, while also supportive, places a greater emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact, providing substantial support for green technologies. Especially, the Norwegian Oil Fund is something we strongly admire for its purpose and impact. So, both approaches have their merits, but I feel that the comprehensive support system in the Netherlands offers a more versatile foundation for diverse types of innovation. It’s this versatility that can drive broader economic growth.
6. Industry Collaboration
Can you discuss the differences in how industries in Norway and the Netherlands collaborate with academic institutions to drive innovation?
In the Netherlands, there is a strong tradition of industry-academic collaboration, driven by initiatives such as the Top Sectors policy, which aligns academic research with industry needs. We strongly believe in the ‘Triple Helix’, collaboration between Industry, Academia and Government. Various campus developments, such as Brain Port Eindhoven, focusing on semi-conductors (including the participation of ASML) and Brightlands, with four connected areas: health, materials, smart services and food/logistics, have a lot of impact. Norway also fosters industry-academic collaboration, particularly in sectors like energy and marine technology. However, I believe the Dutch model of integrating innovation across multiple sectors and disciplines could serve as a valuable blueprint for Norway to enhance its collaborative efforts. The synergy between academia and industry in the Netherlands often leads to highly impactful innovations.
7. Innovation Challenges
What are some of the unique challenges that Norwegian innovators face, and how might they overcome these challenges by learning from Dutch practices?
Norwegian innovators face unique challenges such as geographical dispersion and a relatively small domestic market. Learning from Dutch practices, such as leveraging international networks and focusing on niche markets, can help Norwegian innovators overcome these challenges. Additionally, adopting a more aggressive commercialization strategy, as seen in the Netherlands, could accelerate innovation outcomes in Norway. It’s about being bold and looking beyond local markets to find opportunities for growth and collaboration. A good example of this is the Open Innovation Lab of Norway, which is an internationally oriented community of Norwegian companies and innovation experts, inspiring each other and working together on identifying and exploiting new opportunities for innovation.
8. Sustainability and Innovation
How have sustainability concerns influenced innovation strategies in Norway and the Netherlands, and what lessons can be shared between the two countries?
Sustainability is becoming more and more a core focus in both Norway and the Netherlands, influencing their innovation strategies significantly. Norway’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainable practices offers valuable lessons in integrating environmental considerations into innovation. The Netherlands, with its pioneering work in the circular economy and sustainable urban planning, provides insights into how sustainability can drive innovation across various sectors. Both countries can benefit from sharing best practices and collaborating on sustainable innovation projects. I think this is an area where mutual learning can lead to significant global impact. I do some work in South Korea related to sustainable innovation and it is no surprise that South Koreans are extremely interested in the Norwegian and Dutch approaches in this area. As relatively small countries with unique competencies and experiences, I believe that the Netherlands and Norway should explore the opportunities for joint activities! This is exactly the aim of the Dutch Norwegian Business Network.
9. Technological Advancements
In what ways have technological advancements over the past three decades shaped the innovation ecosystems in Norway and the Netherlands?
Technological advancements have profoundly shaped the innovation ecosystems everywhere in the world, also in Norway and the Netherlands. In Norway, advancements in renewable energy technologies have driven significant innovation, while in the Netherlands, digital technologies and smart infrastructure have been key drivers. Both countries have leveraged technology to address their unique challenges and opportunities, creating robust innovation ecosystems that can adapt to future technological changes. Recent developments in AI (which for me, stands for ‘Additional Intelligence), offer great opportunities for taking the next steps in many of the topics that are being worked on. But digital innovations like AI can also play an important role in developing new and strengthening existing innovation ecosystems. It becomes increasingly easy to connect and combine sources of knowledge, identifying relevant people and organizations and support collaboration and open innovation. Personally, when I look at what is currently happening in the Netherlands and Norway, I’m excited about how both nations are using technology to solve real-world problems and improve quality of life.
10. Future Trends
Looking ahead, what emerging trends in innovation do you foresee for Norway and the Netherlands, and how can both countries prepare to leverage these trends effectively?
Looking ahead, emerging trends such as artificial/additional intelligence, biotechnology, and sustainable development will be crucial for both Norway and the Netherlands. To leverage these trends effectively, both countries need to set priorities based on topics that matter most to them and where they can build on existing resources and competences, invest in advanced research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and create supportive policy environments.
Embracing a proactive approach to innovation, with a focus on global challenges and opportunities, will enable both nations to stay at the forefront of innovation, notwithstanding their relatively modest scale. Both countries are rich, have a high level of education, relatively stable political climate and open cultures, I believe that by staying ahead of these trends, the Netherlands and Norway can ensure continued growth and positive societal impact.
The Dutch Norwegian Business Network extends its gratitude to Prof. dr. Paul Louis Iske for his time and effort to answer DNBN's questions in our new interview series.
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