A Research Strategy for the Highlands & Islands (2002)

Consultancy projects

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In 2002 BusinessLab conceived and facilitated a 3-way research partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Media Lab Europe (MLE), the Dublin-based spin out of the world famous MIT Media Lab, with whom BusinessLab also had a strategic alliance. The aim of this unique partnership was to provide access to leading edge research to SMEs and micro businesses in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

In parallel with this initiative, BusinessLab were commissioned by HIE to develop an ICT research strategy for the Highlands & Islands.

The study, which was structured around a framework of regional attributes, capabilities, needs and influences, identified seven research themes: 'Research & Business', '101 Uses of Bandwidth', 'Virtual Visitor', 'Reliable and Viable', 'Together Wherever', 'Facing the Elements' and 'Distance No Object'. BusinessLab set out the structure whereby HIE could stimulate research proposals, promote key research projects and broker and manage ICT related research.

In 2005 HIE created and funded a new research resource, Distance Lab, to research digital media technology and design, focused on the theme of 'distance'.

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