Title: Innovation capacity adjustment: the case of Poland

Authors: Robert Wladyslaw Ciborowski, Jerzy Grabowiecki

Addresses: University of Bialystok, Economic Faculty, Warszawska str 63, 15-062 Bialystok, Poland. University of Bialystok, Economic Faculty, Warszawska str 63, 15-062 Bialystok, Poland

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to answer the following question: Is the present state of high-tech industry in Poland favourable for the purposes of an economy in transition? The paper consists of four parts in which the following problems are analysed: 1) The role of innovation in a process of transition constrains of innovation are bound to radical restructuring of the institutional framework and regulatory system, covering the relationship between economic and industrial systems. 2) The present state of innovation capacity in Poland economic changes in Poland created a totally new situation for Polish enterprises as they became exposed to free trade, multinational investment flows and various cooperation opportunities with foreign companies. 3) Possibilities of high-tech industrial development in Poland a restructuring of institutional settings is most important for a Polish economy in the course of transition. In turn, the transition process has revolutionised the understanding of the process of innovation. However, transition has failed to revolutionise the structures of S&T in Poland. 4) The competitive position of Poland a basic problem is the impact of economic reforms on the S&T infrastructure. The process needs institutional changes for better international competitiveness. In a centrally planned economy such changes were not a priority for the government. Now in Poland, these reforms are most important because they will support the competitiveness of Polish exports. The paper includes many comparisons of Polish innovation structure to countries in competition and EU members. The conclusions are that innovation processes in Poland are poor. But the science sector, enterprises and government undertake a number of activities to improve that.

Keywords: innovation policy; economic development; high-tech; competitiveness; transition; Poland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2003.003159

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.1, pp.56-69

Published online: 13 Jul 2003 *

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