The fourth focus group, UT

The Faculty of Economics at the University of Tirana hosted a focus group session with experts in the field of sustainability and responsible innovation.

The purpose of the discussion was to explore key elements of innovation ecosystems, the stages of innovation implementation, the primary challenges in sustainable innovation, the main actors in Academia-to-Business (A2B) collaboration, and the factors influencing A2B collaboration in transitioning economies.

Participants identified the following actors in the innovation ecosystem in Albania:

• Academia is one of the main actors in the innovation ecosystem, through the knowledge and information it offers to students. It creates a tool (through dedicated research) for innovation.
• Policymakers should invest in innovation, support innovators, and universities.
• Government – Through sponsored training programs, public-private partnerships, regulatory frameworks, and incentives.
• The National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation provides support with funds to create innovative ideas.
• Businesses can generate sustainable innovation ideas in cooperation with universities.
• Incubators of innovative ideas, such as Tirana Inc., collaborate with universities to generate business ideas and startups, and mentor and train individuals involved in the incubation process.
• The Yunus Center aims to equip social and young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and tools to design, test, build, and grow entrepreneurship initiatives in the field of social entrepreneurship.
• The Innovation Center at Metropolitan University is focused on Digital Innovation. In Albania, these centers have a very specific focus, such as social or digital orientation. Therefore, they follow different business models. Innovation centers within universities should be prioritized.
• Business angels can support sustainable innovation by creating and offering funds.

Participants also concluded that there is a lack of knowledge among actors about the innovation ecosystem, and a lack of information about the resources needed for the development of sustainable innovation.

Social network analysis is also necessary to create a complete picture of innovation actors in developing countries.