| Abstract [eng] |
Innovations are widely seen as the driving force of economic growth and competitiveness. The regional innovation system can be understood as a system of innovative networks and institutions located within a certain region, with a strong internal interaction that promotes the innovativeness of the region’s companies. The concept of an innovation regional system stresses the role of the interaction and co – operation between various agents such as companies, public research and development institutions including universities, scientific institutes and public or private technology transfer centers. The author of the paper undertook research into the regional innovation system of Klaipeda’s county. The object of this research is to analyze the interactions between enterprises and different research institutions in the region regarding innovation activities. The survey of enterprises measured different types of linkages which characterize firms’ innovation activity. The aim of the research is to analyze the interaction and co – operation in innovation activity between enterprises and public or private scientific research and development institutions in Klaipeda’s county, based on the results of the research to provide the recommendations on how to improve Klaipeda’s regional innovation system. The first part of the thesis analyzes the theoretical aspects of the regional innovation system, the resources - based regional development and the distribution of knowledge concepts and also discusses the Lithuanian innovation level. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to the elaboration of research methodology and methods. In the third part of the thesis the data of processing the empirical study and the SWOT analysis of the Klaipeda’s regional innovation system is presented. Moreover, the innovative infrastructure of the region of Klaipeda is analyzed. Finally, the work is completed by the formulation of conclusions and recommendations. Research validated the hypothesis. The results of the research showed that the majority of firms in the region do not co – operate in the innovation process. It is judged that it is expedient for the region of Klaipeda to enhance the interactions between different agents of the system in order to achieve the regional competitiveness and development. Further more, the rapid techno – economic development and globalization tendencies place special demands in improving the innovative infrastructure that fosters networking and learning activities in the process of designing and implementing innovation strategies in the region. |
