Patterns of innovative activities in countries of Central and Eastern Europe: An analysis based on comparison of innovation surveys

This paper compares several innovation surveys from the countries of central and eastern Europe (CEECs) with the first EU innovation survey. Based on the innovation survey data it discusses the changes in the innovation activities in central and eastern Europe and points to differences and similarities with the EU. The main conclusion is that the differences in innovation activities come from differences in development levels. Similarities in innovation activities come from a strong convergence in the CEECs with the features of the innovation process in market economies. The paper also discusses the methodological issues involved in inter-country comparisons.