Proceedings of the 70th International Academic Conference, Madrid

TRAJECTORIES OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: 20 YEARS OF EU MEMBERSHIP

MAGDALENA OWCZARCZUK

Abstract:

Since joining the European Union in 2004, the Central and Eastern European countries – Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia – have faced the challenge of rapidly enhancing their technological development to converge with more advanced EU economies. This article examines the trajectories of technological development in these countries over the period 2004–2024, focusing on two interrelated dimensions: (1) technological potential, which includes, among others, research and development (R&D) expenditures, technological infrastructure, and human capital in science and technology; and (2) capacity to implement new technologies, measured, among others, by the adoption of digital solutions by businesses, the provision of digital public services, and the integration of technology into economic and administrative processes. The analysis is based on DESI, Eurostat, and OECD data, enabling a comparison of countries’ progress and the identification of patterns of technological leadership, catch-up, and moderate advancement. By highlighting differences in potential and implementation capacity, the research provides insights into the factors enabling faster technological development and offers empirical evidence to support policy-making aimed at fostering innovation and technological resilience in post-socialist economies.

Keywords: Technological development, innovativeness, CEE countries

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2026.070.013

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