Developing a knowledge-based economy through innovation policy: The cases of Bulgaria, Finland and Scotland

Abstract

Different EU member states adopt and apply the EU knowledge-based economy (KBE) development policies in different ways and at different paces. Innovation policies are widely seen as key tools for supporting economic growth and wealth. This paper aims to study the innovation policies and strategies in place in three EU member states: Bulgaria, Finland and the UK (Scotland), which are representative of different stages in the development of a KBE. Reviewing innovation management literature, EU and national innovation policy documents, the author investigated how the EU vision for KBE development has been translated in each of the three countries. The author argues that to achieve the goal of establishing a developed KBE, coherent policies on education, research and innovation, which build upon and reflect national cultures and traditions are required. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.