Conception and Implementation of Regional Innovation Strategy Based on Smart Specializations of Śląskie Voivodship

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the process of selecting regional smart specializations in designing and implementing Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS ). It presents conditions concerning selection of three smart specializations — i.e., power sector, medicine and information and communication technologies (ICT ) on the background of selected smart specializations in the remaining regions of Poland and other EU states. They are characterized in the aspect of using the knowledge for the purposes of implementation of the goal adopted in RIS. The basic research problem (in the methodology aspect) was to create a model allowing for planning and implementing content-related works concerning innovation strategy, which should ensure development of a region and obtain necessary financing. The methodology implemented in the paper consists of two parts. The first one applies to developing (designing) RIS, the other to its implementation. The basic content-related assumption of the design stage is to support the concept and strategy implementation on smart specializations. This means effective and synergistic utilization of public support to strengthen innovative capacities by focusing on the most promising areas in which the region could reveal a competitive advantage. The second part of the methodology refers to the implementation model of RIS which is based on the assumption of smart specialization development in the region, but much more refers to the practical aspects: identified projects in the region and possibilities of financing them. The value of the paper consists in presenting a design method and RIS implementation model in one of the regions in Poland, namely Śląskie Voivodship. In particular, smart specializations selected in the region were characterized in a strategic aspect and their role in creating and implementing RIS was emphasized.