Innovativeness and competitiveness of the Western Balkan countries and selected EU member states

Abstract

Given that innovativeness stands for one of the most significant categories in the process

Competitiveness of industry in countries on different levels of development during the 1970-2015 period

“…Others, however, argue that the context of competitiveness can be identified with the category of productivity, hence it is basically only a different name for measuring the rate of output goods and services per unit of input factors [8]. We think that the category of competitiveness is contextually more abundant in comparison to the category of productivity, and that it is a cumulative expression of numerous aspects and business factors [4]. This fact is especially emphasised by the process of growing globalisation.…”

“…Although the share of industry in gross domestic product has been decreasing in the most developed countries, productivity of industry still increases, which is what continues to secure a central role for industry in modern-day economy. Technological changes alter the nature of industry, thus increasing its productivity and improving competitiveness [4].…”

Analysis of innovativeness, as a determinant of competitiveness of the selected European countries

“…Innovation is the key to economic growth, increase in employment, meaning that it is the most important determinant of sustainable growth of living standard (Cimoli & Dosi, 1995;Despotovic, Cvetanović & Nedić, 2014). When creating innovation in some country, innovators support processes, develop and exchange information, knowledge, experience, and other resources (Lundvall (ed), 1992;Edquist (ed) 1997).…”

Knowledge economy readiness, innovativeness and competitiveness of the Western Balkan countries

“…The selected Western Balkans group included Croatia, as the relatively most innovative and most competitive country in this group, which became the member of the EU on 1 July 2013. Furthermore, the selected EU countries, with the exception of Austria and, to a certain extent, Slovenia, belong to the very bottom of the list of EU countries, judging by the criteria of innovativeness and competitiveness Cvetanović et al, 2013;Despotović, et al, 2014). This fact should be taken into account when making judgments about the perceived differences in relation to: knowledge economy readiness, increasing innovativeness, and improving competitiveness of the Western Balkans countries and the group of selected EU countries in their neighborhood .…”