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The purpose of this paper is to do research on regional conditions that are most conducive to maximising the positive effects of the implementation of "New industrial policy" (policy based on Smart specialisation strategy) to regional competitiveness in Croatia. Rather than using the standard but fragmented system of counties, this small post-transition economy is first mapped into five regions following the concept of regional innovation systems (RISs). Essentially, RIS concept rests on an idea that interactions among regional agents lead to the creation of optimal innovation output, while policy based on Smart specialisation strategy in Croatia is a national policy that promotes creation of innovative products and services in five promising domains and 13 sub-thematic areas. Analysis is carried out in two steps, firstly using a data-driven approach employed in a multidimensional framework for assessing regional accessibility, absorptive capacity and diffusion of knowledge in the context of Smart specialisation strategy (S3) implementation. In the second step, the assumption of post-transition reliance on the external knowledge and technology in producing innovation output is examined via regional presence of high-technology firms, GDP per capita and international trade and investment variables and patents per 100.000 inhabitants using cluster analysis (Ward method). The results show that highly internationalised regions with higher density of hightechnology firms already produce relatively more innovation output per capita. With already favourable conditions in place, these progressive regions are most likely to reinforce their competitive advantages through the transformation of their economic structures enabled by implementation of S3. ; Regionalna konkurentnost u kontekstu "Nove industrijske politike" na primjeru Hrvatske

The purpose of this paper is to do research on regional conditions that are most conducive to maximising the positive effects of the implementation of "New industrial policy" (policy based on Smart specialisation strategy) to regional competitiveness in Croatia. Rather than using the standard but fragmented system of counties, this small post-transition economy is first mapped into five regions following the concept of regional innovation systems (RISs). Essentially, RIS concept rests on an idea that interactions among regional agents lead to the creation of optimal innovation output, while policy based on Smart specialisation strategy in Croatia is a national policy that promotes creation of innovative products and services in five promising domains and 13 sub-thematic areas. Analysis is carried out in two steps, firstly using a data-driven approach employed in a multidimensional framework for assessing regional accessibility, absorptive capacity and diffusion of knowledge in the context of Smart specialisation strategy (S3) implementation. In the second step, the assumption of post-transition reliance on the external knowledge and technology in producing innovation output is examined via regional presence of high-technology firms, GDP per capita and international trade and investment variables and patents per 100.000 inhabitants using cluster analysis (Ward method). The results show that highly internationalised regions with higher density of hightechnology firms already produce relatively more innovation output per capita. With already favourable conditions in place, these progressive regions are most likely to reinforce their competitive advantages through the transformation of their economic structures enabled by implementation of S3. ; Regionalna konkurentnost u kontekstu "Nove industrijske politike" na primjeru Hrvatske

The goal of this paper was to research and apply the concept of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) to Croatian regions and to identify particular strengths supporting innovation diffusion as a source of regional competitiveness. A system of indicators is envisaged, with the choice of RIS dimensions and indicators largely relying on Evangelista, Iammarino, Mastrostefano, and Silvani (2001). In total, 32 relevant regional indicators are grouped into three dimensions – Knowledge creation and dissemination, Firm innovation activity and Systems' performance. Regional heterogeneity is noted with respect to innovation capacities in the 2006–2010 period: North-West Croatia is leading in the diffusion of innovation, with overall RIS configuration most conducive to innovation activity; Central and East Croatia (CEC) has a distinct value chain in agriculture and low-technology industries and industries' needs for technological upgrading are resolved through external R&D (acquisition of licenses, patents and know-how), backed up by strong public financing; Adriatic Croatia is underperforming in innovation activity, given the advantages it has over CEC in important elements of systemic dimensions such as entrepreneurial and technological infrastructure and in scientific capacities. Policy implications are drawn from highlighted regional differences in innovation capacities and in sectoral structures. ; Cilj je ovoga rada istražiti koncepciju regionalnih inovacijskih sustava (RIS) i primijeniti je na hrvatske regije, pa potom prepoznati regionalne prednosti koje podržavaju difuziju inovacija kao izvor regionalne konkurentnosti. S tom svrhom osmišljen je sustav pokazatelja, s time da se u izboru dimenzija i pokazatelja toga sustava uvelike slijedio rad autora Evangelista, Iammarino, Mastrostefano i Silvani (2001). Ukupno 32 regionalna indikatora svrstana su u tri dimenzije RIS-a, a to su: stvaranje i diseminacija znanja; inovacijska aktivnost poduzeća i učinkovitost sustava. Među regijama je zamijećena heterogenost u pogledu inovacijskih kapaciteta između 2006. i 2010. godine. Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska vodeća je u difuziji inovacija s RIS-om koji ima najbolje preduvjete za razvoj inovacijskih aktivnosti. Središnja i istočna Hrvatska (SIH) ima specifičan lanac vrijednosti u poljoprivredi i niskotehnološkim industrijama te industrije u ovoj regiji svoje potrebe za tehnološkim unapređenjem rješavaju ulaganjem u I&R izvan poduzeća (stjecanjem licencija, patenata i know-howa), uz snažnu podršku javnih izvora financiranja. Jadranska Hrvatska ostvaruje slabije rezultate u inovacijskim aktivnostima kada se razmotre prednosti koje ova regija ima u usporedbi sa SIH u važnim elementima sistemskih dimenzija kao što su poduzetnička i tehnološka infrastruktura te znanstveni kapaciteti. Na osnovi opaženih regionalnih razlika u inovacijskim kapacitetima dane su preporuke za relevantne politike, poštujući pritom i sektorske razlike među regijama.

Cilj je ovoga rada istražiti koncepciju regionalnih inovacijskih sustava (RIS) i primijeniti je na hrvatske regije, pa potom prepoznati regionalne prednosti koje podržavaju difuziju inovacija kao izvor regionalne konkurentnosti. S tom svrhom osmišljen je sustav pokazatelja, s time da se u izboru dimenzija i pokazatelja toga sustava uvelike slijedio rad autora Evangelista, Iammarino, Mastrostefano i Silvani (2001). Ukupno 32 regionalna indikatora svrstana su u tri dimenzije RIS-a, a to su: stvaranje i diseminacija znanja; inovacijska aktivnost poduzeća i učinkovitost sustava. Među regijama je zamijećena heterogenost u pogledu inovacijskih kapaciteta između 2006. i 2010. godine. Sjeverozapadna Hrvatska vodeća je u difuziji inovacija s RIS-om koji ima najbolje preduvjete za razvoj inovacijskih aktivnosti. Središnja i istočna Hrvatska (SIH) ima specifičan lanac vrijednosti u poljoprivredi i niskotehnološkim industrijama te industrije u ovoj regiji svoje potrebe za tehnološkim unapređenjem rješavaju ulaganjem u I&R izvan poduzeća (stjecanjem licencija, patenata i know-howa), uz snažnu podršku javnih izvora financiranja. Jadranska Hrvatska ostvaruje slabije rezultate u inovacijskim aktivnostima kada se razmotre prednosti koje ova regija ima u usporedbi sa SIH u važnim elementima sistemskih dimenzija kao što su poduzetnička i tehnološka infrastruktura te znanstveni kapaciteti. Na osnovi opaženih regionalnih razlika u inovacijskim kapacitetima dane su preporuke za relevantne politike, poštujući pritom i sektorske razlike među regijama. ; The goal of this paper was to research and apply the concept of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) to Croatian regions and to identify particular strengths supporting innovation diffusion as a source of regional competitiveness. A system of indicators is envisaged, with the choice of RIS dimensions and indicators largely relying on Evangelista, Iammarino, Mastrostefano, and Silvani (2001). In total, 32 relevant regional indicators are grouped into three dimensions – Knowledge creation and dissemination, Firm innovation activity and Systems' performance. Regional heterogeneity is noted with respect to innovation capacities in the 2006–2010 period: North-West Croatia is leading in the diffusion of innovation, with overall RIS configuration most conducive to innovation activity; Central and East Croatia (CEC) has a distinct value chain in agriculture and low-technology industries and industries' needs for technological upgrading are resolved through external R&D (acquisition of licenses, patents and know-how), backed up by strong public financing; Adriatic Croatia is underperforming in innovation activity, given the advantages it has over CEC in important elements of systemic dimensions such as entrepreneurial and technological infrastructure and in scientific capacities. Policy implications are drawn from highlighted regional differences in innovation capacities and in sectoral structures.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse Croatia's potential to integrate the concept of polycentric development – an even development of equally spaced urban centres which also aims at lessening regional disparities – into its regional development policy. By applying the polycentricity index to the Croatian data, following Meijers and Sandberg's methodological approach (2006), Croatia is found to be moderately polycentric. However, the rank-size distribution indicates that Zagreb is too large, whereas the larger cities that follow Zagreb are insufficiently large. When using NUTS level 2 data, regional disparities in Croatia are at the level of the European Union, but when county data are used, the level of disparities increase. This indicates that polycentricity has not fully been exploited in terms of connectivity and cooperation of cities. A cross-section analysis of regional disparities in Croatia has confirmed that more successful counties have higher proportions of a workforce with higher educational attainment. Urban impact and openness to international trade appear relevant when the variable "workforce with higher educational attainment" is omitted; therefore, better performing counties have higher shares of population in their urban centres and are more open to international trade. ; Cilj je ovoga rada bio istražiti ima li Hrvatska potencijal za usvajanje koncepcije policentričnoga razvitka kao ravnomjernoga razvitka podjednako udaljenih urbanih središta, kojem je i svrha smanjenje regionalnih nejednakosti, u svojoj regionalnoj razvojnoj politici. Primjenom indeksa policentričnosti prema metodološkom pristupu Meijers i Sandberga (2006) na hrvatske podatke, ustanovljeno je da je Hrvatska umjereno policentrična. No distribucija gradova prema poretku i veličini pokazuje da je Zagreb prevelik, dok su veći gradovi koji slijede Zagreb nedovoljno veliki. Nadalje, mjere regionalnih nejednakosti za Hrvatsku upućuju na prosječan stupanj nejednakosti u usporedbi s Europskom unijom kada se koriste podaci NUTS razine 2, a kada se koriste podaci o županijama, stupanj nejednakosti se povećava. To pokazuje da policentričnost nije potpuno iskorištena u pogledu povezanosti i suradnje gradova. Analizom presjeka regionalnih nejednakosti u Hrvatskoj utvrđeno je da su uspješnije županije koje imaju veći udio radne snage većeg obrazovnog dostignuća. U rezultatima specifikacije modela u kojem je izostavljena varijabla "radna snaga većeg obrazovnog dostignuća", urbani utjecaj i otvorenost prema međunarodnoj trgovini pokazuju se značajnima, pa su uspješnije županije koje imaju veći udio stanovništva u svojim urbanim središtima i koje su otvorenije prema međunarodnoj trgovini.

This study explores the perceptions of members of 13 competitiveness clusters in Croatia (CCC) towards clusters' objectives, processes, setting and performance. Survey data (n=250) were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. Results indicate that progress of CCCs is not visible in the observed period and they are lagging behind successful cluster initiatives in the world. The most important reasons for underperformance are related to weaknesses inherited in cluster development framework, poor implementation of activities, inadequate resources for pursuing more ambitious objectives, lack of consensus and weaknesses in strategy formulation. The paper contributes to the literature by evaluating the program of competitiveness clusters for the first time. It examines the factors that contribute to performance of clusters, and compares CCCs with best practices of similar associations in the world. Although this research is based on perceptions of members, it has valuable implications for clusters and policy-makers. In order to strengthen existing clusters, changes in the national framework are needed, while clusters should have more resources at their disposal to reach more ambitious objectives in the future.

This study explores the perceptions of members of 13 competitiveness clusters in Croatia (CCC) towards clusters' objectives, processes, setting and performance. Survey data (n=250) were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. Results indicate that progress of CCCs is not visible in the observed period and they are lagging behind successful cluster initiatives in the world. The most important reasons for underperformance are related to weaknesses inherited in cluster development framework, poor implementation of activities, inadequate resources for pursuing more ambitious objectives, lack of consensus and weaknesses in strategy formulation. The paper contributes to the literature by evaluating the program of competitiveness clusters for the first time. It examines the factors that contribute to performance of clusters, and compares CCCs with best practices of similar associations in the world. Although this research is based on perceptions of members, it has valuable implications for clusters and policy-makers. In order to strengthen existing clusters, changes in the national framework are needed, while clusters should have more resources at their disposal to reach more ambitious objectives in the future. ; Rad istražuje percepcije članova 13 klastera konkurentnosti u Hrvatskoj o ciljevima, procesima, okruženju i učincima klastera. Podaci iz uzorka (n=250) analizirani su metodama deskriptivne statistike, eksplorativnom faktorskom analizom i regresijom. Rezultati pokazuju da napredak klastera konkurentnosti nije dovoljno vidljiv u promatranom razdoblju i da klasteri konkurentnosti zaostaju za uspješnim klasterima u svijetu. Među čimbenicima koji objašnjavaju nepovoljne rezultate su neodgovarajući modeli razvoja klastera, neučinkovita implementacija aktivnosti, nedostatak konsenzusa i nedostaci u formuliranim strategijama. Ovo istraživanje pridonosi literaturi tako što analizira program klastera konkurentnosti po prvi puta. Jednako tako, istraživanje istražuje čimbenike koji pridonose rezultatima klastera i uspoređuje prakse klastera konkurentnosti u Hrvatskoj s najboljom praksom sličnih asocijacija u svijetu. Iako se ovo istraživanje temelji na percepcijama članova, ono ima značajne implikacije za klastere i nositelje politike. Da bi ojačali postojeći klasteri, potrebne su promjene u nacionalnom sustavu, dok bi klasteri morali imati više resursa na raspolaganju kako bi u budućnosti ostvarivali ambicioznije ciljeve.

This study explores the perceptions of members of 13 competitiveness clusters in Croatia (CCC) towards clusters' objectives, processes, setting and performance. Survey data (n=250) were analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis. Results indicate that progress of CCCs is not visible in the observed period and they are lagging behind successful cluster initiatives in the world. The most important reasons for underperformance are related to weaknesses inherited in cluster development framework, poor implementation of activities, inadequate resources for pursuing more ambitious objectives, lack of consensus and weaknesses in strategy formulation. The paper contributes to the literature by evaluating the program of competitiveness clusters for the first time. It examines the factors that contribute to performance of clusters, and compares CCCs with best practices of similar associations in the world. Although this research is based on perceptions of members, it has valuable implications for clusters and policy-makers. In order to strengthen existing clusters, changes in the national framework are needed, while clusters should have more resources at their disposal to reach more ambitious objectives in the future. ; Rad istražuje percepcije članova 13 klastera konkurentnosti u Hrvatskoj o ciljevima, procesima, okruženju i učincima klastera. Podaci iz uzorka (n=250) analizirani su metodama deskriptivne statistike, eksplorativnom faktorskom analizom i regresijom. Rezultati pokazuju da napredak klastera konkurentnosti nije dovoljno vidljiv u promatranom razdoblju i da klasteri konkurentnosti zaostaju za uspješnim klasterima u svijetu. Među čimbenicima koji objašnjavaju nepovoljne rezultate su neodgovarajući modeli razvoja klastera, neučinkovita implementacija aktivnosti, nedostatak konsenzusa i nedostaci u formuliranim strategijama. Ovo istraživanje pridonosi literaturi tako što analizira program klastera konkurentnosti po prvi puta. Jednako tako, istraživanje istražuje čimbenike koji pridonose rezultatima klastera i uspoređuje prakse klastera konkurentnosti u Hrvatskoj s najboljom praksom sličnih asocijacija u svijetu. Iako se ovo istraživanje temelji na percepcijama članova, ono ima značajne implikacije za klastere i nositelje politike. Da bi ojačali postojeći klasteri, potrebne su promjene u nacionalnom sustavu, dok bi klasteri morali imati više resursa na raspolaganju kako bi u budućnosti ostvarivali ambicioznije ciljeve.