Pan-European Cooperation and Integration

Innovation is seen as the key driver for competitiveness and economic growth and has become an indispensable element in the modern economic development strategy. To catch up with the United States' well-developed innovation base and combat competition posed by emerging economies, the European Union has launched a comprehensive innovation strategy and refined its governance method to provide an environment conducive to competitiveness and growth and to encourage the exchange of best practices among its Member States. In addition, the European Union intends to involve the post-Soviet neighbouring countries to enhance pan-European cooperation in economic integration focusing inter alia on transferring best practices in innovation governance. The author evaluates in how far the European Union has succeeded in improving their own competitiveness standing and how it succeeds in driving innovation throughout the European continent. Readers of this book include economists, professionals or students working in the field of economic development linked to innovation, as well as managers of companies that are active in the Eastern European region.