Mainstreaming ICTs for Smart Growth: Dynamics of Research, Development and Innovation in Albania - Economicus

by, Erjon Curraj

Abstract

In the context of a knowledge-driven economy, knowledge, information and innovation are interrelated with economic and social objectives and are deemed as drivers of development and smart growth. It is argued that the Western Balkan countries need to shift their growth model towards production and trade in order to be able to compete in the European market and benefit from the EU accession. In achieving this model of growth, the WB countries such as Albania o face challenges such as the legacy of fragmented reforms, low levels of R&D, deterioration of research infrastructure and brain drain; low levels of business and research collaboration, lack of strategic policy processes, politicization and lack of systematic monitoring and evaluation of research performance. This paper explores the dynamics of research, development and innovation in Albania. By using secondary data and document analysis and drawing from a regional project1 , it argues that the strategic aims for the smart growth of Albania in the context of a knowledge-based economy should be: (i) improvement of research base and conditions for research excellence; (ii) enhancement of effective research commercialization and fostering research and business collaboration; (iii) improvement of business sector innovation and establishment of start-ups.