ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the most important characteristics of post-communist dynamics of innovation in Central and Eastern Europe and also provides a basis for understanding the forces that shape the dynamics. It establishes the general picture of the post-communist position in the world of innovation. The development underlying the overall pattern is introduced by outlining the historical heritage of post-socialist countries in terms of the innovative capabilities that they possessed in socialist times. The chapter addresses issues such as the transformation of the socialist R&D complex from the late 1980s and onwards, the challenge of exploiting the inherited competencies from the socialist era, the restructuring of innovation networks, and the build-up of linkages to foreign, more advanced systems of innovation. The chapter also addresses the issues that are the prospects for building post-communist 'styles of innovation' that either strive for harmonization with Western styles or rather seek to build innovative strength by developing differing styles.
