Public Sector Innovation in the European Union

One of the key factors of competitiveness of enterprises is innovation. In response to quickly changing customer preferences, companies modify their market offer and deliver new or improved products or services. The importance of innovation has also increased in the public sector recently. On the one hand, this is caused by introduction of management methods characteristic for enterprises into the public sphere and, on the other hand, from the growing demands of citizens. This results in the implementation of various types of new solutions, in the field of administration, customer service, transport and waste management. As a consequence, the public sector assessment can be made according to criteria known from business management such as efficiency, rationality and cost-effectiveness. The objective of this article is to systematize the definitions and types of public sector innovation and to outline their meaning in social life. It also reviews the research conducted on innovation in the public sector at the level of the European Union countries.