Abstract:

In the paper, the authors focus on the issues of innovation performance of Slovakia in terms of innovation inputs and innovation outputs in the context of the Global Innovation Index. Innovations and their results in the form of patents, utility models, industrial designs and other innovative solutions are included in the category of intellectual property, or industrial property respectively. We consider innovations to be an important factor in competitiveness. Innovative economic entities are able to translate their ideas into practicable and marketable forms, through which they gain an edge over the competition. Intellectual property is one of the sectors that has been minimally affected by the pandemic of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Despite its negative nature, the pandemic has created a number of business opportunities in which entrepreneurs have taken advantage of new niche in the market. In this paper, we note, analyse and evaluate the position of Slovakia in terms of innovative inputs and outputs in the group of V 4 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia) in terms of the global innovation index. Slovakia's strengths and weaknesses in innovation performance were analysed and assessed.