ABSTRACT
First, this chapter provides a quantitative study of innovative potential convergence globally. Second, it analyses the innovative potential between European Union economies and China. β and σ-convergence were analysed based on the economic indicators published in the European Commission's European Innovation Scoreboards in the years 2012–2017. This chapter analyses various aspects of innovations including human capital, R&D expenditure and EPO patents. The analysis shows no evidence of innovative potential convergence in 2010–2017, with a gloomy outlook for the future. While catching up is visible in the case of R&D expenditures or SME innovative activities, the divergence of scientific potential is worrisome. The study provides evidence that China has been making up the distance to the EU on the technological frontier, despite the global divergence. This chapter also highlights the problem posed by the incomparability of headline EIS summary innovation indices – the ranking of European economies.
