Abstract:The potential for innovativeness is difficult to measure, though many have attempted to do so. In order to look at Poland's innovation potential, its current position and its opportunity to grow, compared with developing and developed countries, this study analysed the patent statistics of the Polish and European Patent Offices. Poland has been a member of the European Union for over a decade now. Therefore, we took into consideration the statistics for patent applications and grants for the last decade, up to the first quarter of 2016. The questions we wanted to answer concerned not only the technology fields that Poland patented its inventions in, but also the types of patent grantees and applicants. In order to determine why Poland is still considered to be only a moderate innovator by the Innovation Union Scoreboard, we also gathered information on Polish inventors abroad in 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, to see their number, technology fields, and types of patent grantees. Finally, we attempted to identify the main barriers that seem to inhibit Polish technology and innovation growth, despite significantly growing R&D intensities (up from 0.56 GDP and EUR 1,139 M in 2004 to 0.94 GDP and EUR 3,864 M in 2014). IS POLAND AN INNOVATIVE COUNTRY? INTRODUCTIONAs Genrich Altshuller observed, "inventing is the oldest human activity" [1]. Humans have always faced problems to solve otherwise they would not have advanced. We could attempt to categorise inventions into cutting-edge, unique, lucrative, local, global, etc. while searching for the motivators that bring them to light. Regardless of their origin, however, inventions are an expression of human creativity, concentration, reasoning and critical thinking.Pursuant to international treaties, a patent is a confirmation of novelty and usefulness of an invention for the state of the art. It is also an exclusive right granted to the inventor. Disclosing an invention to a patent office in return for an inventor's monopoly to use it has equally many supporters and opponents. On the one hand, the patent system is easily accessible and open, whereas on the other it discloses inventive ideas to competitors.We could provide many examples of patent wars, not only those of the 20th and 21st centuries, and discuss whether or not they affected technological progress. Undoubtedly, without the exchange of ideas through disclosing inventions, we would not move forward and the wheel would have to be reinvented not once but an infinite number of times.Altshuller, who introduced the theory of inventive problem solving, claimed that every person can become an inventor. Not necessarily a good one, but an inventor nevertheless. Our paper does not conclude which nation is the world's most inventive one. Although we would like to know this ourselves, we fear that answering this question is impossible. In this paper we concentrate on our own country and we attempt to show the place of Polish inventive problem solving and Polish inventors in the system of invention disclosure...

Poland has a strong ambition to evolve rapidly into a knowledge-driven economy. Since 2004, it has been the largest beneficiary of European Union cohesion policy funds among all member states. Between 2007 and 2013, Poland was allocated approximately EUR 67 billion, whereas for 2014-2020 the EU budget earmarked EUR 82.5 billion for Polish cohesion policy. This means that in the coming years, Poland’s R&D intensity will grow. But the question remains: is 27 years of free market economy enough to enable a country’s economy to become knowledge-based ? This paper offers an analysis of Polish R&D expenditures and investments in terms of their sources (business, government or higher education sectors), types (European Union or state aid) and areas of support (infrastructure, education or innovation). It also characterises the Polish R&D market with its strengths and weaknesses. Then, it examines the process of technology transfer in Poland, comparing it to best practice. Finally, the paper lays out the barriers to effective commercialisation that need to be overcome, and attempts to answer the question raised in its title.

This article presents tools used in the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) which are useful when assessing the evolution direction of technical systems. The following matters are discussed: the S-shaped curve, laws (trends and lines) of the evolution of technical systems, multi-screen diagrams, as well as analysis of evolutionary potential. Inventive laws formulated by Gienrich Altshuller as well as laws previously formulated by a Polish writer and promoter of knowledge, Aleksander Głowacki, writing under the pen name Bolesław Prus, have been presented. Finally the innovation roadmaps have been shown. The use of individual tools has been supported by practical examples taken from research performed by the authors, and the usefulness of individual methods was evaluated. All methods have been compared and evaluated.

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A B S T R A C T Aiming to strengthen cooperation between scientific entities and enterprises and to overcome related obstacles, the authors propose to create a mechanism of incentives called BIZ-TRIZ, which is an abbreviation for "TRIZ for Business". This mechanism is used to support cooperation between scientific entities and companies. Close cooperation is achieved by implementing R&D&I services, which is the responsibility of the scientific unit operating for the benefit of the companies involved. Research services are used together with the scientific instrument that reflects achievements in the modern theory of innovative problem solving (TRIZ). The analysis was made using the Maritime University of Szczecin and SME-type companies as an example. This paper describes the basic assumptions concerning the implementation of the BIZ-TRIZ mechanism. Also, it presents the use of SWOT analysis, needs/stakeholder analysis and risk analysis for the implementation of the BIZ-TRIZ mechanism. The paper describes preventative actions for the most important implementation risks and discusses the results of the analyses. Finally, it introduces the main conclusions regarding the purpose of implementing the BIZ-TRIZ mechanism. K E Y W O R D S Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), BIZ-TRIZ mechanism, SME sector, R&D&I services, feasibility analysis