The initiative sought to enhance TalTech's research excellence in industrial strategy and policy, along with advanced data analytics, by promoting a strategic partnership with Bocconi University in Italy, Aalto University in Finland, and the think tank Nesta in the UK.
Jointly, workshops and events were organized to enhance capabilities in advanced data science tools, such as big data management and analytics. The focus was on the transformative impact of these techniques in driving innovation and competitive advantage in industrial strategies. Additionally, efforts concentrated on the most promising research avenues and strategic advisory needs, including international trade analytics, identified through horizon scanning.
Significant competencies were developed in economic complexity and relatedness analysis to understand the knowledge economy and its regional and industrial impacts. The incorporation of gravity models of international trade underscored the project's adherence to established international economics practices. The emphasis on global marketing strategies garnered interest from both academic and business sectors. Putting advanced machine learning tools, including Random Forest, Graph Neural Networks, Temporal Fusion Transformers, and Large Language Models, into active use has positioned TalTech Industrial at the forefront of data-driven industrial and policy research. The action demonstrated the advantages of utilizing international trade data, particularly from UN Comtrade.
The objective to enhance research management capabilities at TalTech was met through a series of practical training sessions and workshops. These equipped researchers and administrative staff with advanced skills in project governance, risk management, proposal preparation, and compliance monitoring.
Additionally, strategic alignment and institutional development at TalTech were fostered through study visits and strategic workshops with AALTO. These interactions provided TalTech with insights into effective strategy processes and benefited from AALTO's business-oriented approach, offering valuable lessons for future development.
Furthermore, TalTech and its partners enhanced their ability to secure research funding, successfully submitting multiple high-quality proposals, with several receiving funding.
The action also focused on addressing the ethical, privacy, and legal challenges of modern, data-intensive research.
By collaborating with industry associations, large companies, and SMEs, the project ensured that its research outcomes are theoretically robust and practically applicable, aiding socio-economic development in Estonia and Europe.
The collaborative nature of the Action led to significant mutual benefits among all partners, enabling each to share expertise and gain insights, fostering mutual learning and development.
