FACING THE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS CHALLENGE IN ROMANIA: THE INNOVATION ISSUES

Abstract

This paper examines the main aspects influencing the innovative environment of Romania by analyzing the levels and composition of innovation indicators and comparing with levels obtained by other countries. The competitiveness of Romania is strongly linked to its position in innovation. The same indicators responsible for weak innovation are linked to the poor composite innovation performance indicators such as the Summary Innovation Index. That shows better the large gaps accumulated over time in all innovation dimensions, particularly in firms activities and innovation output when they are compared to the EU average values and as such having repercussions on the innovation performance index, implying economic mechanisms in mitigating the issues that Romania faces with.