Document details

Summary

Aims

The Institute for System Level Integration (ISLI) was set up by Scottish Enterprise (SE) to fill the gap between industry and academia in the field of electronic product design and technology. Its objectives were to deliver postgraduate and professional education and training, stimulate industry-based innovation, and undertake pre-competitive research through its university network. The evaluation's aims were to assess the ISLI intervention's economic impact and its success as measured against its objectives, and to make recommendations on the future of SE funding of ISLI after 2010.

Methods

Desk research was conducted using monitoring, financial performance and project activity data, and other relevant documentation. Consultations were undertaken with SE, ISLI, universities and relevant companies. Impact modelling and evaluation was also carried out.

Findings

ISLI has been successful in meeting, or exceeding, its performance targets in a number of areas including the level of CPD activity and the amount of research funding leveraged. The Design Team performance is not clear as the activity is reported in a different way to the targets. Financial reporting systems are clear and well managed. ISLI has seen a period of income growth despite challenging circumstances. SE subsidy levels have dropped but continue to be necessary, although it is expected that public subsidy levels will drop further as income grows and efficiencies are sought by ISLI. Reporting procedures to SE could be improved. The net impact of ISLI between April 2005 and the end of 2007 is estimated at around £16 million. ISLI has addressed the challenges set out in the previous evaluation of 2004, which concerned value for money.

Recommendations

Six options were put forward for the future of ISLI: wind up the organisation as a single entity; break the organisation up into its constituent activities; relocate to a university campus; remain in the current location in Livingston; relocate to West Lothian College; or continue with only industry-facing, research and CPD activities. It was recommended that ISLI work with SE over the remainder of the current contract to determine the best way forward.

Record metadata

Documents	Full Report (733 KB, pdf)
Consultant	DTZ
Published year	2008
Pages	56
Document Type	Evaluation
Theme/Sector	Digital markets and enabling technologies, Innovation, Business innovation, Innovation system, Skills Development, Labour Market and Skills, Sectors