engleski

The need for an integrated approach to the national innovation system : A case of Croatia

Paper discusses, on the example of Croatia, the need for building the national innovation system (NIS) in the CEEC transition countries as a strategic tool for moving towards knowledge-economy and successful integration into European Union that itself aims at transforming into "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world" by 2010. The main thesis of the paper is that successfulness of NIS strongly depends on comprehensive and systemic approach that presumes integration of all the sectors relevant for capitalization of knowledge through innovation and new technologies. To prove the thesis, the shortcomings of the first innovation policy program in Croatia, program HITRA, coming from its fragmented approach to fostering innovation is presented. In order to analyze Croatian NIS and improve policymaking an attempt of benchmarking NIS in Croatia is for the first time exercised within this paper. The benchmarking exercise reveals that Croatian NIS is rather weak in comparison with other European counters in both supply and demand side. Especially the absorption capacity and human capital are poor and influences the low technological and innovation performance. Paper concludes that NIS requests pro-active innovation policy and policy learning that depends on social as much as on technological change.

national innovation system; Croatia; benchmarking; CEEC transition countries

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