Multidimensional functioning of innovation system - overview concept

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present architecture of innovation system and localization of enterprises in it. The system’s character has been presented in four dimensions: global, supranational, national and regional. Due to prescribed confines of the article, the conception of the system functioning in four-dimensional context has only been mentioned without analysis of individual component parts and relationships between them.

The notion of innovation system is based on the assumption that the source of innovation in economy is to be sought in the network of links among enterprises, the public sector, colleges and universities, and supporting institutions. Each of these subjects can have a significant impact on promoting innovation development. The devised innovation system will be more effective provided its structure is based not on institutions (taken as sensu stricto organizations) but on relationships, mechanisms, ways and rules of joint operations.

Economic freedom, which encourages competitiveness and promotes high efficiency, is a factor which stimulates innovativeness in the global dimension of the innovation system. The supranational innovation system creates the framework for running national and regional systems of innovation, it determines standards which state and local authorities should go by when planning and implementing an innovation strategy for the national and regional economy. Remarkable differences of factors such as: historic experience, geographical and political determinants, values system, cultural system or knowledge and skills accumulated in a society of a given region or country will determine an individual style of pro-innovative policy for each country (region), thus each of them will be characterized with a unique national or regional system of innovation. While drawing up recommendations for creation and functioning of the innovation system (regardless of the territorial dimension) one should follow the Marshall’s conception, taking into consideration five innovativeness prerequisites.