Innovation Policies in the Visegrad Countries

This report first reviews the current discussion about innovation, looking at its definition and theoretical underpinnings from different angles. It is followed by an analysis of the rationale, goals, instruments and organisational framework of innovation policies in the Visegrad Countries. The report argues that the Visegrad Countries tend to focus on a narrow understanding of innovation – expressed in the science-push model of innovation, as well as in mainstream economics – as opposed to the broader understanding promoted by the evolutionary approach. The latter approach would provide more appropriate guidelines for developing innovation systems, improving performance and achieving more pronounced and favourable impacts on socio-economic development in general.