Title: A methodology to measure innovation in European Union through the national innovation system

Authors: Nuno Carvalho; Luísa Carvalho; Sandra Nunes

Addresses: Divisão de Projetos e Atividades, Palácio dos Grilos – Rua da Ilha, Universidade de Coimbra – Administração, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal ' Rua da Escola Politécnica 141-147, Universidade Aberta, 1269-001 Lisboa, Portugal ' ESCE – Escola Superior de Ciências Empresariais do Instituto, Politécnico de Setúbal Campus do, IPS – Estefanilha 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal

Abstract: Measuring the innovative performance of European Union (EU) is vital to assist in defining public policies that can contribute to stimulate innovation. This study aims to examine the socio-economic factors that contribute to the EU innovative performance. In order to validate the research, the empirical study uses two linear regressions, considering as dependent variables, respectively, the patents required and the percentage of innovative sales, with the objective of identifying the factors that most influence innovation outputs. This study concludes that the most important variables for innovative performance (measured as number of patents) are private R&D, percentage of innovative firms and public R&D. Additionally, the results can provide important clues to support the definition of public policies that can stimulate innovation.

Keywords: EU; European Union; national innovation systems; NIS; innovative performance; innovation drivers; innovation effects; innovation outputs; innovation measurement; socio-economics; private R&D; public R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2015.069703

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2015 Vol.6 No.2, pp.159 - 180

Received: 29 Jun 2014
Accepted: 07 Nov 2014

Published online: 29 May 2015 *

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