Inovační politika EU v ČR

Abstract

The European Union (EU) puts more emphasis on innovation as a key means for regaining and maintaining competitiveness, a trait it lags behind in when compared to its main global competitors. It therefore possesses a range of tools designed to support innovative activities of firms and to improve the overall environment of innovation in the European Union and Member States. This thesis outlines/describes the major milestones in the development of innovation policies in the Czech Republic and the EU and focuses on supporting innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic via measures derived from the EU's financial tools. Special emphasis is applied to the Operational Programme Entrepreneurship and Innovation (OPIE) that in the Czech Republic is the main tool used to support innovation in firms. The main problem areas that may pose barriers to active impact for this support are identified on the basis of programme documents, assessment reports, statistical data on the programmes and qualitative information yielded from interviews with firm representatives experienced in this type of support. With regard to the findings of this assessment, the thesis attempts to frame suggestions that can eliminate the identified shortcomings and recommendations that can form the position of...