Research, Innovation and Development vs Regional Disparities across the European Union

The paper achieves a complex analysis of the present developments in R&D and innovation processes across the EU28. A distinct part of the paper deals with the analysis of the R&D and innovation activities at NUTS 2 regional level. The latest official statistical data were used in order to build a regional database related to R&D and innovation processes. The statistical data were divided into two categories: R&D resources and R&D results, which were analysed using comparative analysis, cluster analysis and regression. The macro trends in R&D and innovation processes are compared to those at NUTS 2 level. A special chapter in the paper is focused on R&D and innovation processes across the Romanian regions. The conclusions of the analysis, supported by tables and pertinent diagrams, are not positive. The R&D and innovation processes lead to increasing disparities across the Member States and regions. Romanian regions, excepting Bucuresti-Ilfov are not able to eliminate the gap in R&D and innovation development on short and medium terms