Transforming innovation models in European regions: Breaking out of path dependency and growing faster?

• Main Authors: Pylak Korneliusz, Wojnicka-Sycz Elżbieta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 2017-06-01
• Series: Miscellanea Geographica: Regional Studies on Development
• Subjects: regional development; development path; path dependency; lessdeveloped region; innovation model; innovativeness
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/mgrsd-2017-0006

The aim of the paper is to verify whether a change in innovation model by less-developed regions may speed up development processes and if innovativeness plays crucial role in these processes. Cluster analysis conducted for the years 1994-2014 showed that the majority of lessdeveloped regions in 1994-2000 that experienced significant growth by 2011-2014 changed their innovation models. Logit regression confirmed that innovation factors play a crucial role in high growth rates. The findings suggest that less-developed regions can break out of path dependency by increasing their shares of high-tech industries and employment in science and technology and boosting technology transfer, which usually involves changing and improving their innovation models.