René Wintjes is senior research fellow at MERIT since 1998. He studied Economic Geography at Nijmegen University. He previously worked at the Economic Institute for Medium and Small Enterprises (EIM, Zoetermeer) and the Faculty of Applied Geography and Planning, Utrecht University. His PhD (September 2001) deals with the regional-economic impact and localization process of foreign companies in the Netherlands. He works for the European Commission and national and regional authorities. Most of his research is listed under the UNU-MERIT theme 5: governance of science technology and innovation. Fields of special interest include: regional innovation systems in Europe, impact of research policy, Information Society, embeddedness of FDI, innovation and growth of ICT companies, policy learning and governance mechanisms.  

Selection of publications

Nauwelaers, C. and R. Wintjes (eds.) (2008), “Innovation Policy in Europe; Measurement and Strategy”. Edward Elgar: Cheltenham.

Dunnewijk, T., H. Hollanders and R. Wintjes (2008), "Benchmarking Regions in the Enlarged Europe: Diversity in Knowledge Potential and Policy Options”. In C. Nauwelaers and R. Wintjes (eds.), Innovation Policy in Europe, Edward Elgar: Cheltenham.

Wintjes, R (2007), “Monitoring and analysis of policies and public financing instruments conducive to higher levels of R&D investments: the “policy mix” project:  sector case study ICT The Netherlands”.   Report for DG Research, European Commission, Brussels

Wintjes R. (2007), Monitoring and analysis of policies and public financing instruments conducive to higher levels of R&D investments; The “POLICY MIX” Project. Regional case study of North-Brabant (NL). Report for DG Research, European Commission, Brussels

Wintjes, R. and R. Schindler (2007), "Benchmarking national, European and international R&D programmes and the impact on innovation; Cases of good practice outside the EU". Report for DG Enterprise, European Commission, Brussels.

Wintjes, R.J.M. (2006), “Monitoring Jobs and Growth – The Regional Perspective; Methodological Note”, Report to the Committee of the Regions.

Wintjes, R. (2006), “ICT: Scoping Paper”, Research Report commissioned by the European Commission (DG Enterprise) in Innovation Watch – Systematic. Maastricht

Dunnewijk, T. and R. Wintjes (2006), “Governance forces shaping economic development in a regional information society; a framework and  application to Flanders”. In: W. Dolfsma and  L. Soete (Eds.). “Understanding the dynamics of a knowledge economy”, pp.157-181. Cheltenham Glos, Edward Elgar.

Wintjes, R. (2006), “Internationalisation of European ICT activities; Evidence from case studies”. Chapter VI in final report for IPTS, Seville

Wintjes, R. (2006), “Strategic Evaluation on Innovation and the knowledge based economy in relation to the Structural and Cohesion Funds, for the programming period 2007-2013 : The Netherlands. Report for DG Regio.

Wintjes, René, together with Andrea Ciffolilli, Hugo Hollanders, Matthieu Lacave, Michel Lacave, Nikos Maroulis, Andrea Naldini, Alasdair Reid, Jacek Walendowski (2006), “Strategic Evaluation on Innovation and the knowledge based economy in relation to the Structural and Cohesion Funds, for the programming period 2007-2013”. Synthesis Report. European Commission, DG Regio.

Wintjes, R., ed. (2005), “The expansion of the ERAWATCH knowledge base towards EU-25”. Synthesis Report for the European Commission (DG JRC-IPTS and DG Research).

Wintjes, R. and T. Dunnewijk (2005). “Learning how to improve innovation policy in Central and East EU Countries”. In: ‘Transition economies in the European Research Area’, edited by A. Jasinski. Warsaw University Press.

Nauwelaers, C. and R.Wintjes, Eds. (2005), “Analysis on the regional dimensions of the 3% Action Plan; ERAWATCH Prototyping Phase”. Final Report to JRC/ IPTS.

Wintjes, R.J.M. (2005), "Verankering van buitenlandse bedrijven in Nederland". Studie in opdracht van NV OOST en het Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Netherlands Foreign Investments Agency.

Wintjes R. (2004), ‘De groei van technostarters in de regio Eindhoven’. In W. Hulsink et al. (eds.), ‘Ondernemen in netwerken; nieuwe en groeiende bedrijven in de informatiesamenleving’. Van Gorcum, Assen.

Dunnewijk, T., H. Hollanders and R. Wintjes (2004) “Knowledge-Index South Netherlands”. LWV, MERIT, Maastricht.

Nauwelaers, C. and R. Wintjes (2003), “Towards a new paradigm for innovation policies?”, in B. Asheim, Isaksen, A., Nauwelaers, C. and F. Tötdling, ‘Regional innovation policy for small-medium enterprises’, Cheltenham, UK and Lyme, US : Edward Elgar.

Wintjes, R. (2003) ‘Measuring Innovation – EU Practices’, paper presented at the Innovation Conference held at St. Petersburg Regional Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development, 25th of March, 2003.Wintjes, R. (2003), “Evaluation of the Trend Chart Policy Benchmarking Workshops, 2001-2002”. European Commision, DG Enterprise, Luxembourg.

Arundel, A. and R. Wintjes (2003), “New Trends in IPR Policy: The challenge of strategic patenting; Summary and conclusions of policy benchmarking workshop”. Innovation Trend Chart Report,  for the European Commision (DG ENT), Luxembourg.

Nauwelaers, C. & R. Wintjes (2002), “Innovating SMEs and Regions: The Need for Policy Intelligence and Interactive Policies”. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, vol. 14, 2, pp.201-215.

Nauwelaers, C. and R. Wintjes (2002) “The changing role of public support to academic spin-offs”, Trend Chart report for the European Commission (DG Enterprise).

Wintjes R., T. Dunnewijk and H. Hollanders (2002), "ICT Monitor Vlaanderen: Eindrapport van een haalbaarheidsstudie". Study commissioned by IWT Flanders, 2002.

Nauwelaers, C. and R. Wintjes (2001) “Favouring Industry-Science Relationships through Human Capital Mobility” report for the European Commission (DG Enterprise).

Larosse, J. and P. Slaets, J. Wauters, S. Bruninx, P. Simkens, R. Wintjes (2001), “ICT Clusterorganisations in Flanders: Co-operation in Innovation in the New Networked Economy”. In: “Innovative Clusters; Drivers of National Innovation Systems”, OECD-Enterprise, Industry and services. Paris, OECD.

Wintjes, R. & J. Cobbenhagen (2001), “Hatching, faciliteren van doorgroei bij high-tech starters”. Commisioner: Stichting CIVI (Centraal Instituut voor Industrieontwikkeling).

Cowan, R. & R. Wintjes (2001) “Criação da mudança tecnológica localizada: exemplos de intervenção pública”. In: C. Antonelli & J. Ferrão, “Comunicação Conhecimento Colectivo e Inovação; As vantagens da aglomeração geográfica”. Lisboa: Imprensa de Ciencias Sociais. 

Wintjes, R. (2001), “Regionaal-economische effecten van buitenlandse bedrijven; Een onderzoek naar verankering van Amerikaanse en Japanse bedrijven in Nederlandse regio’s”. Utrecht: KNAG/Faculteit Ruimtelijke Wetenschappen.

Soete, L., M. Hagenaars, R. Wintjes (2000) “Limburg op nieuwe kracht; een nieuwe economie, een nieuwe regio”. NV Industriebank LIOF, Maastricht.

Cowan, R. and R. Wintjes (1999), “Analysis of Cluster Policy Issues and Policy Recommendations” Workpackage 4 and 5, TSER-INLOCO, Industrial Districts and Localized Technological Knowledge”, DG XII, contractnr: SOE1-CT97-1058.

Nauwelaers, C. and N. Schall and R. Wintjes (1999), “SME Policy and the Regional Dimension of Innovation: The cases of Wallonia and Limburg”. SMEPOL report no. 4. MERIT, Maastricht University, Maastricht.

Wintjes, R. and J. Cobbenhagen (1999), “Flanders Language Valley; Industrial District of Localized Technological Change”. MERIT Research Memorandum, nr. 99-33. Maastricht: MERIT, University of Maastricht.