Inter-organizational cooperation in the diffusion and improving of innovativeness in micro and macro perspectives: A case of developing economy in an international context

The main purpose of the article is to analyze the inter-organizational cooperation of enterprises for innovation in the Polish economy compared to the rest of Europe. The micro perspective assesses in detail the scope and scale of cooperation of Polish enterprises with selected stakeholders of economic helixes. The macro perspective analyzes the relations for innovation in the Polish economy in comparison with the rest of Europe. As part of the micro analysis, the article uses economy-wide statistical data. The macro perspective is based on the results contained in the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS). This is a perspective that focuses on the international context of inter-organizational cooperation, enabling comparison of a developing economy with both similar economies and more developed ones within a very narrow, rarely described scope. The research tools are dynamic analysis, comparative analysis, and cluster analysis. The analysis shows that the extent of inter-organizational cooperation for innovation is low compared to other European countries, even emerging and developing ones. Companies are most likely to develop complementary relationships on the business-to-business line. A part of those active in innovation and interested in cooperation also establish contacts with universities (less often with research institutes). Cooperation with government and local government units is at a low and constant level over time. Even lower is the extent of relations with the third sector in cooperation with non-profit organizations. Inter-organizational ties are primarily national in nature. International cooperation is primarily business-to-business and mainly involves EU and EFTA countries. The underdeveloped economic helixes translate into Poland’s low innovation score in the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), including Linkages in particular. These results are not justified by the lower level of economic development and the recent systemic transformation, as the group of countries in the so-called Eastern Bloc includes economies with a high level of innovation and above-average scope of cooperation for innovation, such as Estonia or Slovenia. • Polish companies mainly cooperate on the business-to-business line. • The triple helix additionally includes mainly relations with universities (less often with research institutes). • Innovation in the relationship with government institutions is developed less frequently and more weakly. • There is little interest in cooperation with the third sector. • Underdevelopment of economic helixes negatively affects Poland’s innovation.