Market, marketing and social research

Latest HIE research includes:

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Establishing a carbon-neutral island - report January 2008 HIE appointed independent consultants to review the opportunities and actions needed to support an island community to become carbon-neutral. Although this work focuses on island communities, its findings could also apply to other communities.e-Communities study summary report - March 2008 The e-Communities study was commissioned by HIE and in partnership with Skye & Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO) to establish the attitudes and levels of engagement in ICT among community groups in the pilot area of Skye & Raasay. The study includes information on skills and confidence levels, areas of activity and inactivity, and attitudes towards ICT as a tool for further development of the community sector in the Highlands and Islands.UK power grid connection charges study - August 2007 This study examined EU directives relating to renewable energy and the grid - and compared UK practice with other European countries, notably the three leading renewable energy producers: Denmark, Germany and Spain.Scottish islands grid connection - strategic viewpoint Highlands and Islands Enterprise, working in conjunction with Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, commissioned Xero Energy to consider the grid and regulatory issues impacting on the development of renewable energy generation projects on and around the Scottish Islands.Enterprising communities - Volunteering study 2007 GEN Consulting and Insight Collective were commissioned by HIE's enterprising communities team to carry out research into volunteering in the HIE area and to establish future trends in demand for and supply of volunteers.Assessment of National Grid connection options for the Scottish Islands - March 2007 This report was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, Shetland Islands Council, Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - to consider the issue of the connection of main Scottish island groups to the mainland power network.Food and drink - evaluation of UK market development programme - May 2007 The main objective of this study was to determine whether the food and drink UK market development programme was successful in in achieving its objectives and its associated outputs.Evaluation of the social and economic impact of the Royal National Mod, Stornoway 2005 - December 2006 HIE Innse Gall and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (The Western Isles council) commissioned an evaluation of the Royal National Mod 2005. The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the social and economic impacts of the event.Pre-2006 research studies Older, but still relevant, these reports were all undertaken and published pre-2006.