MEGS-KT Research Project

Interim Reporting October 2012

Contents

• Context • Aims• Methods • Results (achievements to note and initial

technical development)• Barriers, limitations and the next stage

(WP3, WP4)• Transferability, sustainability, social impact

and other benefits

MEGS-KT - Aims

• Skills shortage in the renewable energy sector.• Business development needs in the energy sector

to support the growth of low carbon communities• An opportunity for innovative collaboration SMEs

with the HEI sector

Objectives

• Construct a visual representation that describes the

social nature of the SME community.

• Explore and evaluate the potential of specific social

network-based facilities and the role of networks in

knowledge identification and transfer within the SME

community.

• Develop an exemplar for an e-learning environment

Mixed Methods

• Literature review• Interviews with professionals from the industry• Distributed paper questionnaires and online surveys• Visual methods• Ethnographic methods/ work shadowing• Collaborative workshops and “co-design” activities (WP3 and WP4)

Resources

• 10 paper filled questionnaires• 18 online surveys• 16 transcribed interviews• 1 work-shadowing days• 4 planned Service Design / “co-design”

collaborative workshops, captured discussion

• SME community review of prototype.

List of lists (Taxonomies)

Question 1

What would you say are the main difficulties to overcome in your role at the present time?

Question 2What are the most important work related

questions in your mind right now?

Question 3

What information are you lacking to support your business growth?

Question 4

Are you networked/ networking?

Insights

SMEs do not have defined roles like larger companies.

SMEs have little time to research and improve their businesses

No-one understands the Green Deal (May 2012)?

SMEs cannot communicate well their needs, when asked.

In the current climate there is a lack of work/ of projects (architects lack projects, construction companies lack projects).

Bureaucratic methods for getting accredited discourages peoples/companies from accreditation (subsequent lack of jobs, loss of tenders).

Many people are interested in the DIY section of the sector.

The construction industry is poor in terms of QA.

With the Green Deal approaching there is a need for up-skilling the retro-fit industry.

Low carbon and renewable energy technologies need to be marketed to the average client.

Interim Report (WP1 and WP2)

Summary Barriers and Limitations

• Little previous research to explore the needs of SMEs in the sector (no literature)

• Hard to engage SMEs• Professional bodies/networks limiting

access to SMEs by “outsiders”.• Concerns about sharing commercial

information from SMEs – “I prefer not to say”

Positives

• Positive support from academics, professionals, Government bodies other initiatives (Institute for Sustainability) to work with the project toward the long term sustainability of MEGS-KT.

• Interest from many different sectors – including academics.

• Engagement with key figures working in the field identified as “catalytic” individuals for the community.

Each of the speakers represents a factor identified in the research, which aims both to uncover the barriers to the growth of these companies and to provide a training solution.

Robin Nicholson is an architect and has worked closely with Government and policy makers heading Think Tanks about sustainable buildings and urban infrastructure. He will be exploring the barriers to business growth from an urban and policy perspective.

Russell Smith will be telling his story about setting up his own award winning company in this field and why he had to take the approach he did to meet the needs of householders.

Terry McGiven will be talking about innovative training opportunities he has set up with European Commission funds for companies in London at the Institute for Sustainability

John Davis a highly inspirational speaker will be talking about the Green Deal.

Technical developments

http://vleblog.lboro.ac.uk/megsblog/

http://vleblog.lboro.ac.uk/megs4/

http://vleblog.lboro.ac.uk/megs5/

http://vleblog.lboro.ac.uk/megs6/

Sustainability and Transferability

• Links to the Institute for Sustainability FLASH programme and other new initiatives collaborating in funding (with Loughborough University Enterprise Office and Local Authorities) to develop the long-term potential of MEGS-KT.