During the last period, innovation represented the core topic of a wide number of studies and analyses due to the potential impact it could have on the development level of a country or a region. This aspect is relatively easy to explain: innovation represents an important source of regional/national competitiveness, a modern factor of growth and economic resilience, but also the fundamental objective of the current programming period and of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
According to theory, innovation is a process that takes place predominantly at micro-economic level. Still, its approach at regional level gains increasingly more room within economic approaches starting from the premise that innovative performances of a company depend directly and to a large share on the endogenous local potential, but also on a combination of factors of influence, determined by the specifics and conditions of the area.
The study intends to analyse from the theoretical and practical viewpoint the role of the innovation process within economic development and growth at regional and national level.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches (synthetic)
a. Innovation and invention
b. Innovation and creativity
c. Innovation and design
d. Innovation and exploitation
e. Innovation and change
3. Key-factors of innovation
4. Innovation at regional level
5. Techniques and methods of innovation evaluation at regional level
6. The analysis of the innovation on development regions in Romania
a. North West region
b. The Centre region
c. The North-East region
d. The South Muntenia region
e. Region Bucharest-Ilfoy
f. Region South West
g. West region
7. Innovation at national level
8. Innovation at European Union level
9. Innovation and the new features of the programming period 2014-2020
Research Objectives & Key Themes
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the theoretical and practical role of innovation within economic development and growth across regional, national, and community levels. It investigates how innovation acts as a catalyst for competitiveness and economic resilience, particularly within the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy and current programming periods.
- Theoretical frameworks of innovation, including invention, creativity, design, and exploitation.
- Determinants of regional innovation systems and methods for evaluating innovation potential.
- Comparative analysis of innovation performance across the eight development regions in Romania.
- Integration of research and innovation policies with regional cohesion strategies and structural funds.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Key-factors of innovation
Innovation plays a key-role in the process of economic growth, its evaluation and quantification representing an interesting and current topic. Still, the multidimensional nature of innovation makes difficult the precise analysis of its value, both at national and at regional level (especially, due to the lack of statistical data and information).
With the stated purpose of providing an as real as possible image of the innovation degree, various evaluation methodologies were launched based on a series of indicators/indices, that would catch as many determinant elements and factors as possible and to provide accurately information regarding this process. Most of these methodologies are elaborated by international bodies (OECD, WTO, the European Commission, etc.) in their attempt to provide various rankings on countries and large geographical areas.
Based on the existing methodologies, there were identified several factors influencing the innovation process that are synthetically presented in the following: 1. Quality of the human factor – without education, specialised training and competences, involvement, etc., innovation cannot take place; according to WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), the quality of the human factor influences decisively the innovation process.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the increasing interest in innovation as a core driver for regional competitiveness and a fundamental objective of European strategic policies.
2. Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches (synthetic): Reviews various definitions and economic theories concerning innovation, distinguishing between invention, creativity, design, and change.
3. Key-factors of innovation: Identifies and categorizes the primary determinants of innovation, such as human capital, RDI funding, and social culture.
4. Innovation at regional level: Examines the concept of regional innovative systems and the relationship between local endogenous potential and economic performance.
5. Techniques and methods of innovation evaluation at regional level: Details the indicators and econometric methods used to measure innovative performance and potential at the regional level.
6. The analysis of the innovation on development regions in Romania: Provides a granular assessment of the innovation landscape across the eight specific development regions in Romania.
7. Innovation at national level: Outlines the National Strategy for Research Development and Innovation 2015-2020 and its priorities for smart specialization.
8. Innovation at European Union level: Discusses the role of the Horizon 2020 program and cohesion policy in fostering innovation across member states.
9. Innovation and the new features of the programming period 2014-2020: Explores the synergies between cohesion policy and innovation funding, specifically focusing on smart specialization strategies.
Keywords
innovation, research, regional development, Europe 2020 Strategy, innovative region, RDI, smart specialization, human capital, economic growth, cohesion policy, competitiveness, technological change, regional innovation systems, Romania, Horizon 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on analyzing the role of innovation as a catalyst for economic growth and development at regional, national, and community levels.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The work covers theoretical innovation concepts, evaluation methods for regional innovation, a detailed analysis of Romania’s development regions, and the integration of research policies within the European Union's cohesion framework.
What is the central research question?
The study seeks to understand how the innovation process functions within economic development and how its role can be practically and theoretically optimized at different territorial levels.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The study utilizes theoretical synthesis, statistical analysis, and econometric techniques to evaluate innovation indicators, as well as descriptive analysis of regional development performance.
What does the main body address?
The main body systematically addresses innovation theories, factors influencing innovation, evaluation methodologies, specific regional case studies in Romania, and European Union policy frameworks.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include innovation, regional development, smart specialization, RDI (Research-Development-Innovation), economic growth, and European cohesion policy.
How is innovation defined within the context of the Romanian regions?
Innovation is presented as a complex, multifaceted process that relies not only on research institutes but also on the interaction between local companies, human capital, and supportive infrastructure within the regional economy.
How does the work interpret the relationship between regional innovation and the national context in Romania?
It highlights a close and direct link, noting that many regional innovation factors are significantly influenced by national macroeconomic decisions and that regional performances remain highly varied depending on local specificities.
- Arbeit zitieren
- PhD. Daniela Antonescu (Autor:in), 2015, Theoretical and Practical Approaches of Innovation at Regional Level in Romania, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/312640
