THE ROLE OF COOPERATION IN THE INNOVATION ACTIVITY OF ENTERPRISES: THE CASE OF POLISH REGIONS

Innovations are seen as an important factor of regional growth, but what influences the innovation activity of enterprises? In the regional innovation system, the set of actors interacting with each other is surrounded with a specific socio-economic environment. In the present research, the following economic and social features in a region - human capital, social capital, the level of economic development, and the existence of FDI - are analysed as possible factors of the innovation activity undertaken by enterprises. Two types of innovation activity are analysed: in-house R&D and the acquisition of machinery, software and equipment. The analysis was conducted for the years: 2004-2006, 2006-2008, 2008-2010, 2010-2012, 2012-2014, and the 16 Polish NUTS-2 regions. Based on the results of econometric panel models, innovation cooperation was found to be significant and positively related with both types of innovation activity. Moreover, public financial support and the level of foreign capital involvement were found positively related with the in-house R&D activity.