Productive forces development and regional economy

Use of innovation vouchers for the regional innovation environment development

Economic Annals-XXI

Economic Annals-ХХI: Volume 166, Issue 7-8, Pages: 91-95

Citation information:
Hlaváček, P. (2017). Use of innovation vouchers for the regional innovation environment development. Economic Annals-XXI, 166(7-8), 91-95. doi: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V166-18

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Petr Hlaváček
PhD (Human Geography and Regional Development),
Associate Professor,
Department of Regional Development and Public Administration,
Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem
1 Pasteurova Str., Ústí nad Labem, 400 96, the Czech Republic
petr.hlavacek@ujep.cz
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3922-5739

Use of innovation vouchers for the regional innovation environment development

Abstract. The author examines the evaluation of the regional innovation system in the Czech Republic and focuses on the assessment of the public policy tool known as the innovation voucher. Using the Ústí Region as an example, the article aims to analyze the Innovation Voucher Programme and the group of companies that used the vouchers, and whether these companies have the potential to grow while positively impacting the growth of the region’s economic potential. Based on the analyses of the business results, it was found that the Innovation Voucher Programme supported the growth of the companies, which now achieve better economic results and have improved efficiency including the creation of new jobs. It can be concluded that the Innovation Voucher Programme strengthens the innovative companies’ development and contributes to the sectoral restructuring of the region, which, due to its historically significant mining and heavy industry, needs development of innovative companies in new sectors with growth potential.

Keywords: Innovation Voucher; Czech Republic; Region; Ústí Region; Innovation Policy; Regional Innovation System

JEL Classification: O33; O38; R58

Acknowledgements: This article has been prepared under the Smart Accelerator for the Ústí Region project No. CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/15_004/0000690 of the Research, Development, and Education Operation Programme (OP VVV), implemented by the Innovative Centre of Ústí Region, z.s.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V166-18

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Received 10.06.2017

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