Research methods and techniques applied during preparation of regional innovation strategies of Polish regions

Purpose: Review of regional innovation strategies of Polish regions to assess the scope of research methods and techniques applied during their preparation. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of regional innovation strategies applicable in all voivodeships with respect to the research methods and techniques used during their preparation. Findings: Polish regions apply diversified methods and techniques that allow them to determine the directions of innovation development, yet in the course of smart strategy identification they encountered limitations with respect to the availability of quantitative aggregated data on the voivodeship or lower levels; therefore, some of them reached to surveys and interviews, as well as the Delphi method which allowed for mitigating the impact of these deficiencies. The regions did not focus exclusively on fulfilling the ex ante condition, but they were intent on proper designation of the priority areas with respect to the aid, which is testified by, among others, reaching to results of foresight type projects and up-dates of the prepared strategies. Originality/value: A comprehensive review of regional innovation strategies applicable in the Polish regions until 2020 and a concise analysis of methods and techniques applied during their preparation as a starting point for the improvement of processes of preparation of subsequent innovation strategies in voivodeships.