Practical Implications of Smart Specialization Strategy: Barriers to Implementation, Role of the Public Sector, and Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Smart specialization is one of the major public policies aimed at stimulation of innovations. The aim of this paper is to examine the interactions between implementation of innovation strategy in the form of RIS3, barriers and bottlenecks of innovation diffusion, and development of innovativeness in enterprises on a regional level. The analysis was based on 30 individual in-depth interviews with representatives of institutions implementing the assumptions of smart specialization in the regions, as well as cross-sectional survey questionnaires on a sample of 250 enterprises engaged in innovative activities in Poland sample. The results of this study show that the applied forms of innovation support, implemented within the framework of RIS3, are not adapted to the realities of the operation of enterprises. Improving this situation requires understanding the actual needs of entrepreneurs. It is proposed to increase the level of stakeholder interaction and communication. Improved measures should be tested and evaluated based on their ability to stimulate business innovation.