Innovation and Competitiveness in the European Union Countries

This paper examines innovation performance in association with competitiveness development the European Union (EU) countries. The factor indicators are linked to global index (GCI). two set hypotheses tested: first, that expenditure for research and (R&D) a company, university-industry collaboration researches affect GCI. Second, relationships exist between GCI indicators, but there is different strength of connection. A special focus analysis on sub-periods: during economic crisis years 2008-2013 post-economic 2014-2017. contributes better understanding expenditures R&D researches, results also confirmed positive correlation, connection other analysed variables such as capacity, quality institutions, availability scientists, number registered patents applications, government procurement advanced technology products. suggest gross domestic product per capita positively correlated