IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH INNOVATION ILLUSTRATED ON THE EXAMPLE OF HUNGARY

Year 2013, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 241 - 250, 01.06.2013

Katalin óhegyi Virág Szabó Andrea Bene

Abstract

Due to the economic downturn there is an increased need for companies and
economies to outperform their competitors and gain sustainable competitive
adventage. However, competiveness is a complex concept. There are a number of
definitions and methodologies available to define and measure competitiveness.
This study examines the data of a widely referred competitiveness report issued
by the World Economic Forum annually. The analysis focuses on how innovation
contribute to the overall competitiveness, what are the direct and indirect
influencing factors of innovation and how the overall competitiveness may be
improved through improving the innovation related indicators. The process is
illustrated on the example of Hungary in the context of its’ EU and regional
competitive position, with the purpose to identify areas of opportunities to
improve national competiveness through innovation.

Keywords

competitiveness, innovation, European Union, Hungary

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