Press release
09 July 2010
Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications
Government adopts strategy for greater services innovation
The Government has adopted a strategy for greater services innovation. The strategy marks the start of a project to adapt and develop policies and systems for enterprise and innovation promotion so that they take into account the conditions for innovation that exist in the services economy.
The aim is for businesses, public sector actors and other organisations in Sweden to join together in contributing to the development of services innovation and thus develop competitiveness in the economy as a whole.
"We want to do something for jobs. An increasingly large part of our economy is made up of services, and many of the jobs of the future will be created through services innovation, in all kinds of areas from travel applications on phones to improved methods of developing welfare. With this strategy we are increasing the focus on, and understanding of, how the services economy is developing. When this is transformed into innovative solutions, Sweden will have more companies and new jobs to look forward to," says Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson.
Innovation is about new or better ways of creating value. Services innovation means new or better solutions based on users' needs and their chances of taking on these solutions.
This could, for example, be about new methods of communication between users and suppliers, new ways of providing services (e.g. through new partnerships and networks), new ways of using technology to meet user needs or simply a new service.
Approximately 70 per cent of added value in Sweden is achieved in the services sector, and the remaining 30 per cent in the manufacturing sector. However, services innovation represents potential for the entire economy - for service enterprises as well as industry, and for private and public activities.
The strategy for greater services innovation was drawn up in dialogue with companies, organisations and public sector actors at local, regional and national level.
Contact
Johanna MartinPolitical Adviser to Maud Olofsson
Sara Modig
Division for Research, Innovation and Industry Development
+46 8 405 42 93
+46 70 696 34 75
