Fassbinder White Book - “Future Actions on Software and Services Based on Market Analysis of Market Evolution, Effects of International Factors, and Return on European Research Investment"

This White Book is one of the main outcomes of the FASSBINDER project, which is a support action under the EU 6th Framework Programme, oriented to study “Future Actions on Software and Services Based on Market Analysis of Market Evolution, Effects of International Factors, and Return on European Research Investment”. The book’s objective is to present a summary of all the information generated and analysed by the project and extract useful recommendations for decision makers dealing with public research funding in the Software and Services fi eld. To prepare this White Book, the information about the evolution and potential of software and services sector in the Europe and other countries like India and China has been gathered and analysed. The studies and analyses address the aspects of globalisation, of the economical, social and technology context of each of the geographical regions covered (Europe, China and India), an overview of the different research lines within the Software and Services area, and the Return on Research Investment, which is a new model presented by the FASSBINDER project. The products of those analyses have been presented as recommendations for research funding public bodies, such as national European governments, European Commission, and private investors interested in collaboration and the promotion of a common European RTD strategy. Those recommendations focus on aspects such as innovation, education, entrepreneurship and potential collaboration with Eastern Europe: 1. Reinforce the bridge between research and innovation 2. Change the curriculum of the Higher Education Centres 3. Promote entrepreneurship in Europe 4. Cooperation with Asia 5. Foster the “Go East” policies Based on those recommendations, the next step will be to formulate international strategy plans, which are the object of future work.