Theory-based evaluation criteria for regional smart specializations and their application in the Podkarpackie voivodeship in Poland

摘要

The article proposes a conceptual framework that can be used to identify and verify priority areas selected under the Regional Innovation Strategies in the European Union for the purposes of their evaluation. Five blocks of criteria for evaluation are proposed, referring to specialization and critical mass, diffusion of knowledge, related diversification, international competitiveness and entrepreneurial discovery. For each block, a set of indicators is defined. These were applied to the evaluation of the smart specialization priority areas in the Podkarpackie voivodeship of Poland. This article addresses a need for a more complete list of evaluation criteria for smart specialization areas.