Lilla KNOP and Marek KRANNICH
Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
For the last ten years it has been emphasised that the importance of regions competitiveness depends on identification and development of smart specialisations. According to assumptions identification of smart specialisations allows to focus the investments in research, development and innovation (RDI) on the areas with the greatest innovative and competitive potential in the given region, that is the areas which may be most advantageous to the region and its economy. Regional smart specialisation strategies are integrated economic transformation programmes which build on region’s strengths, its competitive advantages and potential for excellence. The strategies focus on selected prioritised areas of development which match regional conditions, thus allowing to achieve competitive advantage in the given area.
The economic area of materials production and processing in the Silesian Voivodeship has had its history but the challenges related innovative development in that area have become of key importance.
The purpose of this paper is to present the potential and market challenges of the materials manufacturing and processing specialisation, as one of the technological areas being developed in the Silesian Voivodeship. This technological area has been identified as a result of the measures taken as part of regional development. This will form the basis for presenting the assumptions of new European Union polices and national and regional strategies as well as the evaluation of the potential and strategic challenges of the analysed specialisation area.