Innovation Policy, R&D Policy and their Regional Aspects in the Czech Republic

Research and development represent the source of new findings and knowledge. Innovation policies should not be, however, connected only with research as such. They should respond to the existing discrepancies between economic and political reality that manifest themselves in three mutually overlapping spheres: global, continental-regional as well as national territorial levels. National level obviously includes its regional and local components. In the Czech Republic, it has been decided in 2006 that national research and development policy and national innovation policy will be harmonized with further relevant policies. National research and development policy in the Czech Republic that concerns 2004-2008 is among others the information for strategic decision-making and subsequent accomplishment of the innovation intentions. At the same time, it serves as an initial base for the preparations of regional conceptions in research and development. Czech Republic has a national innovation policy, which is prepared for the period from 2005 till 2010. It contains four strategic aims: strengthening the research and development as a source of innovation, formation of functional co-operation between public and private sectors, identification of human resources for innovations and more efficient performance of the state administration in research and development and innovations. Concrete regions differ significantly in the realms of innovations and research and development. In the sphere of research and development, the capital city of Prague occupies the dominant position in the Czech Republic. Apart form Prague, we can see the potential in diff erent branches in Brno and Ostrava. Next position is held by Plzeň and innovations became more pronounced also in South Bohemia, Pardubice and Hradec Králové regions. Innovations are insuffi ciently accentuated in Karlovy Vary, Olomouc and Vysočina regions so far. In 2006, potential of institutions with innovative activities was the most distinctive in Moravian-Silesian and South Moravian regions as well as the capital city of Prague. Regional innovation strategies that should contribute to the support of the changes in socioeconomic situation in particular regions were elaborated in five regions.