Euroopa Elu- ja Töötingimuste Parandamise Fond korraldab 3.-5. juunil 2008 Poznan'is (Poola) konverentsi "Global competition and European companies’ location decisions." Konverentsi programm avalikustatakse kohe kui on lõppenud läbirääkimised esinejatega.

BUSINESSEUROPE kutsub konveretsil osalema tööandjaid! Reisi- ja majutuskulud katab Eurofound, kes kontakteerub registreeritud osalejatega reisikorralduse küsimustes. Kui olete huvitatud konverentsil osalemisest, palun teatage osalemissoovist hiljemalt 14. märtsiks 2008: Kristi-Jette Remi, kristi@ettk.ee, 5040313.

Global Competition and European Companies’ Location Decisions

Globalisation is at the root of a widespread sense of insecurity in Europe. Citizens and policy makers alike are concerned about Europe’s future role and position in a globalised economy. Will the Member States of the European Union continue to be the home of competitive and innovative companies providing large numbers of high quality jobs? Or will companies prefer to invest, produce and offer their products and services in other parts of the world? The welfare of European citizens and the cohesion of European society largely depends on the decision of companies where to locate.

The conference ‘Global Competition and European Companies’ Location Decisions’ , organised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, will examine what factors drive the location decisions of companies and whether and how they can be influenced by policy making. To achieve this objective, the conference will present the views of those shaping policies at the European level. The European Commissioner for Regional Policy and the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities will address the conference in key note speeches. They will debate with practitioners from the company level, policy makers designing and implementing policies at national and regional level as well as researchers.

Trends in location decisions are difficult to measure. The lack of reliable data means that the debate is often based on exaggerated and alarmist views rather than on a good understanding of the facts. In the plenary session, the European Foundation will present the results of its monitoring of restructuring activities and developments in sectors in an attempt to provide the debate with a more rational, evidence-oriented basis. These research findings will be complemented – and possibly challenged – by the views of those in charge of making location decisions at the company level. Looking at it from a regional perspective, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy will set the scene for the debate by describing the Union’s endeavour to create attractive conditions for companies through its regional development policies and initiatives. In this context, the strategic direction of the EU’s support mechanisms for developing human capital, easing adaptation to change and ensuring social cohesion will later be elaborated by the European Commissioner with responsibility for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. 

Participants will have a chance to discuss the issues raised in a number of parallel workshops. How will location decisions of companies shape the future of manufacturing in Europe? And the future of services? Can development policies at the local and regional level make a difference for companies’ location decisions? And can European level policies influence how attractive Europe is for companies? Is it possible to create a win-win situation in a situation where the Union’s Member States and regions are competing for companies’ location decisions to be made in their favour?

To emphasise the need to gain a better understanding of corporate decision-making processes and the factors driving it, the European Foundation has teamed up with PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com/pl ).

Other partners include:
• City of Poznan (www.poznan.pl) – a city of over half a million inhabitants and one of the main locations of foreign investment in Poland
• Poznan University of Economics (www.ae.poznan.pl) – Established in 1926, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious business universities in Poland.
• Opportunity Poland (www.opportunitypoland.pl) – a non-profit initiative established in 2004 to attract foreign business to Poland and to create a positive image of Poland abroad