Europe's IT Strategy Shifts into Second Gear: The Targetted and Application-Driven Approach of the Emerging Open Microsystems Initiative (OMI)

Abstract

This paper is concerned the recent movement within European IT strategy towards the development of large-scale, targetted and application-driven collaborative programmes. It reviews the current debate on the value of the strategy of European R & D collaboration and focuses, particularly, on the case of the recent ESPRIT's Open Microsystems Initiative (OMI) aimed at creating a complete microprocessor capability over a period of five years. The intention is threefold: a) to explore the rationale, strategy and mechanisms at the heart of this new initiative; b) to identify areas of potential further development; c) to suggest some specific recommendations. Strategically, the paper finds that the OMI's approach is informed by at least four key elements: 1) It is a targetted approach with a view to generating a complete and competitive technological capability in a critical area of IT. 2) It seeks to avoid a sequential, stage-by-stage approach to creation, production and diffusion by involving users, producers, etc. from the very start of the process of definition of the strategy itself. 3) It builds up on existing microprocessor constituencies in Europe, including the expertise of European companies on US microprocessor technologies. 4) It has an 'open' approach which emphasises the need for a global strategic perspective from the beginning.