The regional smart specializations include the innovative activities within a common science-economy-technology sector, which open the opportunities to gain a competitive advantage. The original procedure of science-economy-technology concordance matrix development on an example of smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship was presented in the paper. The procedure developed includes recognition of the research and economic components of the regional smart specialization and the connection between the economic components of the regional specialization and the technological innovation through the international patent classification. It also comprises recognition of key enabling technologies (KETs) and high technologies (of high R&D intensity) other than KET in the economic and technological dimensions of innovation as well as the high R&D intensity services in the economic dimension of innovation. The in-depth expert analyses with the application of the Delphi method were also taken into account. The methodological approach developed and the visualization method applied are both of cognitive and practical importance since they contribute significantly to the creation of efficient development policies, to the enhancement and facilitation of cross-sectoral cooperation, and to the focusing on the fields of key importance in terms of the competitive advantage of a region.
The continuous creation and implementation of innovative solutions, both technical and organizational, through planning and realization of long-term activities in the field of the strategic regional economic branch have been identified as the key elements for a region to succeed in the technological development and economic growth [
The Silesian Voivodeship is located in Southern Poland, in the region of Upper Silesia. It is a highly industrialized region, but the dominant heavy industry does not facilitate a strong and competitive regional economy or the growth of small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, the potential of the region in terms of traditional industries and new services is undeniable. The companies providing niche products emerged in the posttransformation period, joining smoothly the global supply chain along with the enterprises operating in traditional regional sectors (coal mining, metallurgy, and power engineering). The changing economy sector imposed the adjustment of the R&D sector offer to the new market demands and increased its international activity within transnational research and expert networks.
The initial document, at the regional level, indicating the strategic goals of the innovation process enhancement was the “Regional Innovation Strategy of the Silesian Voivodeship for Years 2003–2013” [
The effect of the regional innovation strategy [
The primary condition of the regional smart specializations development is the enhancement of the cooperation between science and business sectors with support and contribution of the regional authorities. The further development of traditional regional branches, through implementation of the best available technologies, and progress in new, prospective technologies should result in gaining the competitive advantage in the global market.
The objectives of the activities undertaken within the regional smart specialization related to medicine include the provision of high quality medical care to the citizens of the region, which could be achieved mainly through the implementation of the advanced solutions of e-medicine, medical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, information technology, and electronic engineering.
The power industry is the key economic sector of the region and the entire country. Within this specialization, particular attention should be given to the activities in the field of safe and efficient production of coal and preparation of ultraclean coals for the power industry, especially new technological solutions for production of the final energy carriers, systems for coal conversion into energy carriers, including combustion technologies (supercritical and ultrasupercritical parameters), coal gasification and polygeneration, combined heat, electricity, and cold generation, coal-based technologies for combined steel and energy carriers production, hydrogen-based power industry and combustion of coal in small environment-friendly heating boilers, and mitigation of hazardous substance emissions (including carbon dioxide) from the processes of coal utilization. The development of energy efficient technologies and utilization of renewable energy resources were identified as prospective areas of innovative solutions implementation.
The key aspects in the field of the enhancement of the regional smart specializations related to the information and communication technologies include increasing the access to knowledge, by means of participation in global cooperation networks and creation of transaction and management system for smart markets, as well as implementation of technologically advanced solutions of material and electronic engineering.
The concordance matrices are tools for the identification of cross-sectional connections, niche areas in given sectors, and for the assessment of the specialization potential, including the effects of public intervention and their influence on the R&D, economic, and social domains.
In principle, concordance matrices are well known and have been widely studied in a number of recent papers and, most thoroughly, by global market organizations. The uniqueness of the approach presented in this study derives from the practical implementation of a detailed cross-sectoral analysis into the regional context by construction of science-economy-technology concordance matrices. Regional R&D&I actors, owing to concordance matrices-based analysis of R&D and business value chains, are able to redefine their research and market attitude by improvement of the existing technologies contributing to the domains of regional technological specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship. Understanding and valuing science-economy-technology interconnections improve adaptation abilities by integration of regional actors and clustering their potential. A synergy effect of those activities was embedded in regional strategic documents such as the Regional Innovative Strategy Implementation Model [
The main objective of the study presented in the paper was the development and analysis of the science-economy-innovative technologies concordance matrices for the regional smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship.
The science-industry concordance matrices are constructed based on the methodology developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [
Socioeconomic activities, NABS classification.
Number | Code | Activity |
---|---|---|
1 | NABS01 | Exploration and exploitation of the earth |
2 | NABS02 | Environment |
3 | NABS03 | Exploration and exploitation of space |
4 | NABS04 | Transport, telecommunication, and other infrastructure |
5 | NABS05 | Energy |
6 | NABS06 | Industrial production and technology |
7 | NABS07 | Health |
8 | NABS08 | Agriculture |
9 | NABS09 | Education |
10 | NABS10 | Culture, recreation, religion, and mass media |
11 | NABS11 | Political and social systems, structures, and processes |
12 | NABS12 | General advancement of knowledge: R&D financed from General University Funds (GUF) |
NABS13 | General advancement of knowledge: R&D financed from sources other than GUF | |
13 | NABS14 | Defense |
Statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community, Rev. 2 (2008) [
NACE code number | Classification group |
---|---|
A01–A03 | Agriculture, forestry, and fishing |
B05–B09 | Mining and quarrying |
C10–C33 | Manufacturing |
D35 | Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply |
E36–E39 | Water supply; sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities |
F41–F43 | Construction |
G45–G47 | Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
H49–H53 | Transportation and storage |
I55-I56 | Accommodation and food service activities |
J58–J63 | Information and communication |
K64–K66 | Financial and insurance activities |
L68 | Real estate activities |
M69–M75 | Professional, scientific, and technical activities |
N77–N82 | Administrative and support service activities |
O84 | Public administration and defense; compulsory social security |
P85 | Education |
Q86–Q88 | Human health and social work activities |
R90–R93 | Arts, entertainment, and recreation |
S94–S96 | Other service activities |
T97-T98 | Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use |
U99 | Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies |
The procedure for science-economy-technology concordance matrix construction proposed by the authors comprises six stages: Recognition of the research and economic components of the potential regional specialization based on statistical data concerning economy, R&D, and patents. Linking the economic, research, and technological components of the regional specialization with the technological innovation area by means of the international patent classifications. Recognition of the potential share of key enabling technologies in the economic and technological dimensions of innovation. Recognition of the potential contribution of high technologies (of high R&D intensity), except for key enabling technologies, to the economic and technological dimensions of innovation. Recognition of the potential share of services of high R&D intensity in the economic dimension of innovation. Final composition of the matrix based on the in-depth expert analyses with the application of the Delphi method.
The definition of the basic elements of the regional specialization, that is, the economic and research components, is of key importance in the approach presented. This stage (
In each of the abovementioned areas, some subareas may be further distinguished. The classification facilitates the analysis of the technological development structures, regional, national, and international comparisons, and the determination of smart specialization profiles.
The third, fourth, and fifth stages cover the assessment of the regional potential in categories of knowledge economy with the application of the data acquired in the first stage and logical construction of the second stage.
The
Data on patent applications in KETs category submitted during the few last years (codes, number of applications) by the entities located in the given region as well as data on patents of KET category awarded in the few recent years to the entities located in the given region is ordered according to NACE codes of the entities submitting patent applications or being awarded the patents. In this way, the information on economy sectors and types of entities generating technological innovations in KET areas (utilization of data obtained in the first and second stages) is acquired.
KET codes mentioned in the previous section may be found in concordance matrices IPC-ISIC (four-digit codes) and ISIC-IPC (four-digit codes). In this way, the information on economy sectors for potential implementations of KET is obtained. Next, the regional potential of these economy sectors is assessed (according to the distinct criteria).
It may happen that the entities of the given region have not demonstrated any activity in the KET areas or that the activity has been minor or ineffective. This does not, however, overrule aspect 2 of the analysis.
The economy sectors considered to be the leading ones in the region (based on other criteria, e.g., values of location indicators and dynamics of the added value increase) are assessed in terms of the potential demand for KET technologies implementation, based on the concordance matrices IPC-ISIC and ISI-IPC (four-digit level).
The utilization potential for KET in smart specializations may be considered significant when the analysis results may be positively interpreted at least in one of the two aspects.
The
Data on patent applications in high-tech area submitted during the few last years (codes, number of applications) by the entities located in the given region as well as data on patents in high-tech category awarded in the few recent years to the entities located in the given region is ordered according to NACE codes of the entities submitting patent applications or being awarded the patents. In this way, the information on economy sectors and types of entities generating technological innovations in high-tech area (utilization of data obtained in the first and second stages) is acquired.
High-tech codes mentioned in the previous section may be found in concordance matrices IPC-ISIC (four-digit codes) and ISIC-IPC (four-digit codes). In this way, the information on economy sectors for potential high-tech implementations is obtained. Next, the regional potential of these economy sectors is assessed (according to the distinct criteria).
It is possible that the entities of the given region have not demonstrated any activity in the high-tech area or that the activity has been minor or ineffective. This does not, however, overrule aspect 2 of the analysis.
The economy sectors considered to be the leading ones in the region (based on other criteria, e.g., values of location indicators and dynamics of the added value increase) are assessed in terms of the affiliation to high-tech industries. The high-tech potential may be considered significant when the analysis results may be interpreted positively at least in one of the two aspects.
The most favorable situation in terms of the regional policy (in case of both the third and the fourth stages) is when the economy sectors active in patenting and sectors of potential patent implementations are at the same time the leading sectors of the regional economy, indicated by the results of the first and second stages.
The analysis performed within the
The potential is assessed based on the analysis in two aspects.
The potential share of knowledge-intensive services in the regional development may be considered significant when the analysis results may be interpreted as positive at least in one of the two aspects.
The
A Delphi survey was conducted within two rounds as a part of a broader national study [
The objective of the Delphi survey applied in the concordance matrix construction presented in the paper was the identification and assessment of the strongest connections between science, economy, and key technologies of the region. Experts were asked to rank those connections by using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (absolutely essential). The consensus regarding the strength of the abovementioned connections was attained when more than 50% of expert responses agreed. The role of experts is especially important in the adaptation of base matrices. The results of the Delphi survey may either confirm or reject the connections presented in the initial matrix. They may also complement it with additional components, resulting from the specific characteristics of the regional smart specialization. The regional smart specialization concordance matrix for the Silesian Voivodeship was supplemented with the estimation of the strength of mutual relations, based on the selected statistical indicators adapted to the regional level.
The developed methodology of concordance matrix construction was implemented in the characterization of the regional smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship in the field of medicine, power industry, and ICT.
The first step of the development of the smart specialization concordance matrix for the Silesian Voivodeship in the field of medicine was its adaptation to the socioeconomic objectives according to the NABS classification (see Table
In the next step, the identified socioeconomic objective was related to the NACE codes of sections C (manufacturing) and Q (human health and social work activities) (see Table
The following step consisted in finding the connections between the identified regional smart specialization related economy branches and key enabling technologies based on the EU report [
NABS-NACE-key enabling technologies correspondence table for regional smart specializations in the field of medicine, power engineering, and ICT.
Regional smart specialization | NABS | NACE | KET | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Medicine | 7: health | C | 21: manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations | 1: industrial biotechnology |
21.1: manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products | ||||
21.2: manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations | ||||
32.5: manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies | 3: advanced materials | |||
Q | 86: human health activities |
1: industrial biotechnology | ||
87: residential care activities |
— | |||
|
||||
Power engineering | 5: energy | B | 5: mining of coal and lignite | — |
6: extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas | ||||
C | 27: manufacture of electrical equipment | 3: advanced materials | ||
27.1: manufacture of electric motors, generators, transformers, and electricity distribution and control apparatus | ||||
D | 35: electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply | 3: advanced materials | ||
35.1: electric power generation, transmission, and distribution | ||||
35.2: manufacture of gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains | ||||
E | 38.2: waste treatment and disposal | — | ||
H | 49: land transport and transport via pipelines | — | ||
49.5: transport via pipeline | ||||
|
||||
ICT | 10: culture, recreation, religion, and mass media | J | 58: publishing activities |
— |
4: transport, telecommunication, and other infrastructure | 61: telecommunications |
5: photonics | ||
6: industrial production and technology | 62: computer programming, consultancy, and related activities |
4: micro- and nanoelectronics | ||
63: information service activities |
— | |||
C | 26: manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical products |
4: micro- and nanoelectronics | ||
— | G | 46: wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
— | |
— | S | 95: repair of computers and personal and household goods |
— |
The key element of concordance matrix construction is linking the identified patents with the socioeconomic objectives (NACE). This was done based on the concordance table presented by Atmaca [
List of IPC patent indicators related to the economy sectors of the strongest effect on the regional smart specialization in the fields of medicine, power engineering, and ICT.
Regional smart specialization | Patents | NACE |
---|---|---|
Medicine | A61K, A61P, C07D, C07H, C07J, C07K, C12N, C12P, and C12Q | 21: manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations |
A61B, A61C, A61D, A61F, A61G, A61H, A61J, A61L, A61M, A61N, A62B, B01L, B04B, B29C, B29D, C12M, G01T, G21G, G21K, and H05G | 32.5: manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies | |
— | 86: human health activities | |
— | 87: residential care activities | |
|
||
Power engineering | H01, H02 |
27: manufacture of electrical equipment |
35: electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply | ||
— | 49.5: transport via pipelines | |
|
||
ICT | B24D, B28B, B28C, B32B, C03B, C03C, C04B, E04B, E04C, E04D, E04F, and G21B | 26: manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical products |
Based on the above procedure, the assessment of the patents of the strongest effect on the economy sectors related to medicine was made, as well as the evaluation of the actual status of these interrelations in the Silesian Voivodeship, based on the number of the patents awarded and patent applications of respective codes as a part of the second-stage analysis.
The recognition of the potential contribution of a given technology of high R&D intensity, other than KETs, to the economic and technological dimensions of innovation was performed based on the WIPO concordance tables, taking into account the technological areas and the respective patent codes.
The connectivity analysis was performed based on the selection of the technological areas of the strongest connection to medicine and respective patents (see Table
List of patents related to the technology fields of the regional smart specialization in medicine, power engineering, and ICT, according to the WIPO classification [
Regional smart specialization | Patents | Technology field | |
---|---|---|---|
Medicine | A61B, A61C, A61D, A61F, A61G, A61H, A61J, A61L, A61M, A61N, and H05G | 2: instruments | 2.13: medical technology |
C07G, C07K, C12M, C12N, C12P, C12Q, C12R, and C12S | 3: chemistry | 3.15: biotechnology | |
A61K | 3.16: pharmaceuticals | ||
|
|||
Power engineering | H01 (H01B, H01C, H01F, H01G, H01H, H01J, H01K, H01M, H01R, and H01T) |
1: machines, apparatus, and energy | |
H01L | 8: semiconductors | ||
H03 | 5: basic communication processes | ||
|
|||
ICT | G06# not G06Q, G11C | 1: electrical engineering | 1.6: computer technology |
H04L | 1.4: digital communication | ||
G08C, H01P, H01Q, H04B, H04H, H04J, H04K, H04M, H04N-001, H04N-007, H04N-011, and H04Q | 1.3: telecommunications | ||
G09F, G09G, G11B, H04N-003, H04N-005, H04N-009, H04N-013, H04N-015, H04N-017, H04R, H04S, and H05K | 1.2: audio-visual technology | ||
G06Q | 1.7: IT methods for management |
The subsequent step of the medicine related concordance matrix development was the recognition of the potential of high R&D intensity services in the economic dimension of innovation. The results of the first stage of the Delphi survey enabled determining the connections between the medicine-linked selected areas of science and economy. The science domains, the progress in which should contribute to the more effective economic development related to the regional smart specialization of the medicine, are given in Table
Science domains contributing to the more effective economic development related to the regional smart specialization in medicine, power engineering, and ICT (the sixth stage).
Regional smart specialization | NACE classification | Science domains acc. to OECD |
---|---|---|
Medicine | Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries | 1.4: chemical sciences |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries | 2.4: chemical engineering | |
Manufacture of medical equipment and instruments |
2.6: medical engineering | |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries | 2.9: biotechnology | |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries | 2.10: nanotechnology | |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries |
3.1: basic medicine | |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries |
3.2: clinical medicine | |
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries |
3.3: health sciences | |
|
||
Power engineering | Mining and quarrying | 1.5: earth and related environmental sciences |
Power generation, including renewable energy | 1.5: earth and related environmental sciences | |
Electrical and electronic industry | 1.6: computer and information science | |
Manufacture and supply of media (electrical power, gas, and water) | 1.5: earth and related environmental sciences | |
|
||
ICT | Electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication | 1.1: mathematics |
Electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication, and logistics | 1.2: computer and information science | |
Electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication | 1.3: physical sciences | |
Logistics | 2.1: civil engineering | |
Electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication, and logistics | 2.2: electrical engineering, electronic engineering, and information engineering | |
Electrical and electronic industry | 2.3: mechanical engineering | |
Electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication | 2.10: nanotechnology |
The scientific areas related directly to medicine of the strongest influence on the economic fields were identified based on the results of the first stage of the Delphi survey. The significant interaction strength was assumed to be at least 4, in 5-degree scale of interaction. The identified relations presented in Table
Interrelations between economy and science sectors for regional smart specialization of medicine, power engineering, and ICT (the sixth stage).
Regional smart specialization | Science domains (OECD) | NACE classification |
---|---|---|
Medicine | Medical engineering | Manufacture of medical equipment and instruments |
Basic medicine | Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry | |
Clinical medicine | Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry | |
Health sciences | Chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry | |
|
||
Power engineering | Physical sciences | Power generation, including renewable energy |
Earth and related environmental sciences | Mining and quarrying | |
Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, and information engineering | Power generation, including renewable energy | |
Environmental engineering | Power generation, including renewable energy | |
|
||
ICT | Computer and information science | Power generation, including renewable energy, manufacture of machinery, manufacture of weapons and ammunition, electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication, optical industry, logistics, manufacture of medical equipment and instruments, manufacture and supply of media, medicine and medical activities, and BPO |
Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, and information engineering | Power generation, including renewable energy, manufacture of machinery, manufacture of weapons and ammunition, electrical and electronic industry, information and telecommunication, transport (rail transport, air transport, transport by road, and manufacture of transport equipment), logistics, manufacture of medical equipment and instruments, manufacture and supply of media, civil engineering, creative activities, radio and television production, financial, insurance and real estate activities, and BPO |
The identification of the economic activities most closely related to the medicine and of high R&D intensity was also made. The economic activity domains were characterized within four categories: high, medium-high, medium-low, and low technologies. They were also assessed to be highly knowledge-intensive activities [
Interrelations between economy activity based on classification of manufacturing and services by R&D intensity for regional smart specializations of medicine, power engineering, and ICT (the sixth stage).
Regional smart specialization | Sector | Category | NACE codes |
---|---|---|---|
Medicine | Manufacturing | 1: high technology | 21: manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations |
Manufacturing | 2: medium-high technologies | 32.5: manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies | |
Knowledge-intensive services | 8: other knowledge-intensive services | 86–88: human healthcare, residential care, and social work activities | |
|
|||
Power engineering | Services | 9: less knowledge-intensive services | 49: land transport and transport via pipelines |
|
|||
ICT | Manufacturing | 1: high technology | 26: manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical products |
Knowledge-intensive services | 5: high technology services | 61: telecommunications | |
8: other knowledge-intensive services | 58: publishing activities | ||
Less knowledge-intensive services | 9: less knowledge-intensive services | 46: wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles | |
95: repair of computers and personal and household goods |
The results of the above analysis of relations between science, economy, technology, and patent sectors in the field of the regional smart specialization are presented in the form of a concordance matrix in Figure
Concordance matrix for regional smart specialization in the field of (a) medicine, (b) power engineering, and (c) ICT.
The regional smart specialization, power engineering, was assigned to the socioeconomic objective, 5: energy, according to the NABS classification given in Table
The recognition of the potential contribution of technologies of high R&D intensity, other than KETs, to the economic and technological dimensions of innovation was necessary for the construction of the complete concordance matrix. The patents relevant to the technological sectors most closely related to power engineering were identified based on the concordance tables developed with the application of the WIPO classification procedure. The assigned patent codes correspond to the IPC patent list (see Table Basic electric elements (H01). Generation, conversion, or distribution of electric power (H02). Basic electronic circuity (H03). Electric communication technique (H04). Electric techniques not otherwise provided for (H05). Semiconductor devices and electric solid state devices not otherwise provided for (H01L).
The first stage of the Delphi survey, concerning the influence of the science areas on the economic development of the region in the field of power engineering, enabled determining the respective types of economic activity according to the NACE classification and identifying the science domains of the strongest correlation with the given economic activities. Eight science domains, in which development would contribute to the more effective economic growth in the field of power engineering, were identified within the Delphi analysis (see Table
The information and communication technologies are one of the regional smart specialization areas of the Silesian Voivodeship of the strategic importance in terms of the technological, economic, and social development in the region. The socioeconomic objectives of 4: transport, telecommunication, and other infrastructure, 6: industrial production and technology, and, to a lesser extent, 10: culture, recreation, religion, and mass media were identified as the ones most closely connected to ICT. These objectives comprise R&D activities concerning the infrastructure and territorial development, including construction of buildings, land use planning, and protection against the negative effects of urban and rural planning. Furthermore, the R&D activities related to the transportation and telecommunication systems, civil engineering and water supply, facilitation of industrial production and technology, and manufacturing are also concerned. The translation of the specialization area into socioeconomic objectives enabled linking the latter ones with the NACE codes applied in the statistical classification of the economic activity in the EU (see Table
The interrelations between the NABS socioeconomic objectives, NACE codes, and KETs for the regional smart specialization in the area of ICT, specified in Table
The identified patents were next linked to the socioeconomic objectives. The concordance plot was developed based on the methodology adopted and with the application of the concordance tables, enabling the determination of patents of the strongest influence on the economy sectors related to ICT [
The selection of the technologies of high R&D intensity, other than KETs, in the economic and technological dimensions of innovation was based on a WIPO concordance table, taking into account the technological areas and the patent codes assigned, respectively. The identified interrelations indicate the patents of the strongest effect on the advancements in technologies related to ICT (see Table
The results of the first stage of the Delphi survey were applied in the search of the dependencies between economic sectors and science domains for the regional smart specialization of ICT. Similar to other smart specialization areas, the science domains of the strongest correlation with the given areas of economic activities were indicated by the experts (at least 4 points awarded in the 5-degree scale). The science domains, according to the OECD classification, in which development should contribute to the more effective economy development related to ICT, are presented in Table
The economy sectors of the major influence on science domains were also identified (see Table
The final stage of the methodology developed for the regional smart specialization concordance matrix construction was the identification of the economy sector, manufacturing, of the strongest link with ICT and high R&D intensity, taking into account the categories, high, medium-high, medium-low, and low technologies, and knowledge-intensive economic activity areas within the service sectors related to the ICT. The connectivity analysis of economy activity sectors and regional smart specialization in the area of ICT is presented in Table
The comprehensive approach to the science-economy-technology concordance matrix construction developed within the study and presented on the examples of the regional smart specializations of the Silesian Voivodeship in the field of medicine, power engineering, and ICT proved to be an effective tool for the smart specialization potential assessment and for adequate addressing and evaluation of the support policies fostering the R&D&I sector. A concordance matrix developed for the regional smart specializations facilitates accurate utilization of the expertise both at the stage of recognition of the significance/strength of the interrelations for the economic development and regional competitive advantage and at the stage of cyclical verification of the smart specialization strategy. The procedure of concordance matrix construction presented in the paper is based on the European and world methodological output in the field concerned. It includes the recognition of the research and economic components of the regional specialization, linking the economic component of the regional specialization to the technological innovation area by means of the patent international classifications, recognition of the potential contributions of key enabling technologies and technologies of high R&D intensity, other than KETs, to the economic and technological dimensions of innovation, and the identification of the potential share of services of high R&D intensity in the economic dimension of innovation. It was deepened with the expert analyses performed within the Delphi survey. The application of the procedure developed in the assessment of the interrelations between science, economy, and technology enables comparison and analyses of supraregional relations on the level of specialization related economy sectors and research areas. Concordance matrices are useful tools for the development of the regional and national innovation policy based on smart specializations and implementation of the evidence-based policy principles to leverage potential of the regional innovation system by better addressed public intervention at multiple decision-making levels. Concordance matrix construction approach provides a general understanding of the interrelation between regional value-chain components and potential of R&D&I sector being an immanent part of a cyclical assessment of the regional specialization strategies. Thus, concordance matrix construction procedure reinforced with a set of analytical tools has been implemented and provided as a web-based IT expert support system.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
The study presented in the paper was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education within the National Foresight Programme-Implementation of the Results Project no. UDA-POIG.01.01.03-00-001/08-00.