Innovative Capacity & Performance of Transition Economies: Comparative Study at the Level of Enterprises

In the last decades, different approaches to development with various degrees of success have been seen all over the world. However, in the last period, all economies started to be confronted with the same problems. They are still recovering from the economic and financial crisis, what continues to influence the public and private sector resources and has a significant impact on further development. It is widely recognized, through a growing number of studies and research papers that the economic recovery largely depends on the improvement of the SME sector and research and development. Technology and innovation play a significant role in social and economic development. As resource of economic competitiveness, the SME sector and innovation have become a priority issue. Innovation means activities that create value through knowledge and produce growth. Innovation is driven by entrepreneurs who take risks, accept challenges and change things. In this respect, it is essential to promote policies that support innovation and technological transfer to the SME sector. Furthermore, these policies should support entrepreneurial competitiveness at regional level; in industrial branches it is important to impplement measures to attract investors having a significant role in the regional sustainable development.