The Role of Regional Intangible Assets for the Innovation Activity of Enterprises: The case of Polish Regions

Innovative enterprises may undertake innovation activity in the form of research and development (R&D) or the acquisition of already developed technology (imitative innovation). Both types of innovation may influence economic growth or catching-up processes in different ways. Therefore, in the research presented, various types of innovation activity are analysed based on Community Innovation Survey data. The question is how the regional environment, characterised based on the data on intangible assets, affects R&D activity and the acquisition of machinery and software. The analysis was conducted for the years 2004-2014 in 16 Polish regions. Intangible assets were measured using the intellectual capital index. Panel data econometric models were applied to test the relations between various types of innovation activity and intangible assets in the regions. Human capital was found to be positively related to internal and external R&D activity. Life-long learning (one of the human capital indicators) was found to be positively related to the acquisition of machinery and software. Structural capital was found to be positively related to internal and external R&D activity.