Characteristics of Innovation in Regions with Small- and Medium- Sized Towns

Zoltán  Birkner; Tivadar Máhr; Erzsébet Péter; Nora  Rodek Berkes

Zoltán Birkner
Tivadar Máhr
Erzsébet Péter
Nora Rodek Berkes

Keywords: micropolitan region, innovation in regions, technological and social innovation, competition

Abstract

Globalisation “takes” its victims, which the authors believe means that the future of small- and medium-sized towns has become uncertain in Europe. The role of centres is continuously increasing, and most researchers prefer to analyse the competitiveness and innovativeness of metropolitan areas. In this study, we characterise the small- and medium-sized towns in the central–eastern European region as well as explore their possible development path. The authors are convinced that one way for these towns to survive is through strengthening of innovation abilities, which means increasing the innovation performances of economic stakeholders and new forms of interaction among other institutions in order to handle social problems. The theoretical starting point is the interpretation and presentation of the micropolitan (without big towns) regions as well as understanding the concept of technological and social innovation. As the result of the research, the innovation measurements carried out in some of the settlements will be represented. These experiences can help the small- and medium-sized towns keep up with global competition and cancel migration and erosion of intellectual potential.

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Author Biographies

Zoltán Birkner

University of Pannonia, Applied Economics Institute, Hungary
E-mail: birkner.zoltan@uni-pen.hu
Postal address: 18. Zrínyi str. 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
Telephone number: +36 30/6350820.

Zoltán Birkner, PhD is an associate professor at the University of Pannonia Nagykanizsa Campus, a research specialist in the field of innovation performance of companies and regions, and the manager of a water technology research and development center.

Tivadar Máhr

PhD student at Applied Economics Institute, University of Pannonia, Hungary
E-mail: mahrtivadar@gmail.com
Postal address: 18. Zrínyi str. 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
Telephone number: +36 30/9299469.

Tivadar Máhr is an active settlement development specialists, a tourism and innovation expert, the deputy mayor of a highlighted touristic destination, and a PhD student in management and business administration at the Doctoral School of University of Pannonia.

Erzsébet Péter

University of Pannonia, Applied Economics Institute, Hungary
Postal address: 18. Zrínyi str. 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary.
Telephone number: +36 70 5295514.
E-mail: peter.erzsebet@uni-pen.hu

Erzsébet Péter PhD is an associate professor at University of Pannonia Nagykanizsa Campus, a research specialist in the field of companies and regions.

Nora Rodek Berkes

University of Pannonia, Applied Economics Institute, Hungary
E-mail: rodek.nora@uni-pen.hu
Postal address: 18. Zrínyi str. 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Telephone number: +36 30/3787058

Nora Rodek Berkes is a lecturer at University of Pannonia Nagykanizsa Campus. She is a PhD candidate in management and business administration at the Doctoral School of University of Pannonia. Her research topics are CSR (corporate social responsibility), sustainable and responsible management, social innovation. Besides the theoretical research of CSR, she is active in practice, as she participates in many projects and programs with the topic of social responsibility.

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