Enterprise Strategy Group Report

7th July 2004 | Reports, Research and Analysis

The Enterprise Strategy Group was appointed by the Tánaiste to prepare an enterprise strategy for growth and employment in Ireland up to the year 2015. The Group's report 'Ahead of the Curve, Ireland's Place in the Global Economy' presents an analysis of Ireland's recent and current enterprise performance, reviews international enterprise trends and perspectives and identifies important steps to underpin Ireland's successful transition to a new phase of enterprise development.

The report is broken up into sections due to it's large size.

Documents

Executive Summary »

pdf (459 KB)

Presents the principal challenges to enterprise development in Ireland today, identifies new areas of opportunity and highlights the key actions required to deliver sustainable enterprises and continuing growth in the decade ahead.

Chapter 1: Background »

pdf (616 KB)

Outlines the economic background to the report including the reasons for past success, the role of public policy and presents an assessment of Ireland's enterprise base.

Chapter 2: The Case for Change »

pdf (663 KB)

Examines the local and global environment and drivers for change including globalisation, the shift to services, rising costs, demographics, the importance of knowledge, EU policies, environmental issues, infrastructure, and access to finance.

Chapter 3: A New Strategic Direction »

pdf (604 KB)

Identifies growth opportunities, describes the types of companies that will thrive in the years ahead, outlines changes needed to achieve success, including a 'business network' approach.

Chapter 4: Building Competitive Advantage »

pdf (634 KB)

Deals with the combination of steps that must be taken to develop and grow enterprise in Ireland by providing competitive advantage in the five areas of: market expertise, technology expertise, skills, education and training, taxation, and effective, agile government. I...

Chapter 5: Essential Conditions »

pdf (587 KB)

Details the basic requirements for international competitiveness in four areas of: cost, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship and management capability. Recommendations are made in these areas.

Chapter 6: The Role of the Enterprise Development Agencies »

pdf (439 KB)

Describes the future focus of the development agencies, the need for change in the agencies to meet future enterprise needs and the skills required in these agencies.

Chapter 7: Implementation »

pdf (311 KB)

Emphasises the actions required of all stakeholders to achieve change required and proposes a mechanism for coordination among Departments and at Government level.