Regional Smart Specializations in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

Using a sample of 28 regions from 5 Central and Eastern European countries and priorities related to agri-food and health, the study verifies whether choices of specialization were linked to innovation potential or the technological interests of R&D performers, as demonstrated by patent applications. It combines a content analysis of Research & Innovation Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) documents with patent analyses based on PATSTAT and Polish Patent Office databases for the period 2006–2015, preceding the adoption of “smart specializations.” The findings indicate mismatches between the actual inventive activities and priorities selected by many regions, with themes of specializations being generic and insufficiently differentiated. The research further distinguishes between patenting by companies and scientific organizations, revealing varying propensities to patent and suggesting the need to decompose patent data based on applicant types to trace the entrepreneurial potential of a region. The chapter offers important insights into the adequacy of political decisions and their relevance for regional stakeholders, as well as methodological contributions that highlight possible ways of mapping the scope of RIS3 priorities as well as demonstrating how to consider regional innovative capacities while defining, monitoring, and updating smart specialization strategies.