RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AS DRIVERS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE BIOECONOMY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN BIOEAST COUNTRIES

Abstract

In the context of climate change, ecological boundaries, increasing environmental pressures and biodiversity loss, scientific community together with policy makers is searching for sources of change towards sustainable bioeconomy. Therefore, there is a clear scientific interest in connection of innovation and sustainable development as well as competitiveness. As RDI is proved by empirical research to be a driver of sustainability and competitiveness of bioeconomy, it is relevant to look at the innovation performance of different countries for comparison. This article aims to make a comparative overview of the bioeconomy related research and innovation performance between BIOEAST countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia). Comparison to EU-27 (from 2020) and the EU Innovation Leaders is also made. The methodology is based on methods of analysis, interpretation and relevant comparisons of selected indicators. The research results point out that BIOEAST countries show very different innovation performance results. There is a wide innovation performance gap between most BIOEAST countries and the EU Innovation Leaders in terms of citable publications and especially patenting activity. Leading BIOEAST countries are in some cases similar to the EU Innovation Leaders. The research may be interesting for both researchers and policy makers and offers opportunities for future studies on the subject.