Innovation Policy in the Czech Republic: From Laissez Faire to State Activism

In: Journal of international relations and development: JIRD, official journal of the Central and East European International Studies Association, Band 5, Heft 4, S. 403-426

Abstract

This article seeks to describe the influence of the existing industrial structure on regulatory efforts & provisions to shape public policy regarding science & technology (S&T). Two transition events have been crucial for the formulation of the present innovation policy: (1) the transition from specific regulatory & self-regulatory practices (& available resources) to quasi-capitalist regulatory & self-regulatory practices that appeared out of the radical economic reform in the first half of the 1990s; & (2) the transition to a standard (modern) regulatory framework based on the mobilization of economic (capitalist), political, & industrial resources as well as a combination of regulatory practices in the market, democratic policy, & the expert-based activities of executive bodies. The article discusses a conceptual framework for analyzing innovation activities in a postsocialist environment -- specifically in the Czech Republic, & analyzes the current situation of innovation policy in the Czech Republic. The author then identifies key factors of restructuring the domestic S&T resources, & assesses their impact on the formation of the national innovation system. The concluding part outlines, among others, issues of current innovation policy with regard to challenges & constraints in its transition to its modern forms, & regulatory practices, which are common to memberstates of the European Union. 5 Tables, 46 References. Adapted from the source document.