Innovation of the Visegrad Group state regions

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the article is to assess the spatial differentiation of innovation across the regions of the Visegrad Group countries. The article also proposes a research hypothesis H1: the level of innovation of the Visegrad Group regions varies.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The theoretical section is a thorough review of the leading specialist literature. In the empirical part, Hellwig's method was used to assess the level of the regions’ innovation. The values of Hellwig's taxonomic innovation measures, i.e. synthetic measures, for each of the six variables were calculated.

FINDINGS: The article contains the results of research in the field of regional innovation. On the basis of statistical data from Eurostat, the taxonomic measures of innovation were calculated for individual regions of the Visegrad Group. It was shown that there is a large variation in the innovativeness of the regions in the V4 countries.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of the research can be used in the formation of innovation policy by the European Union, which will make it possible to equalise disparities in the uneven development of individual V4 regions.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article presents the results of own research on the evaluation of the V4 regions’ innovation level.