Smart research and regional cooperation: strategic gaps and opportunities in the Western Balkan region

Abstract

Objectives
This study aims to identify strategic gaps and opportunities for strengthening smart research and innovation in the Western Balkan region. Through highlighting underused mechanisms of region coordination, this research seeks to evaluate the alignment of national legal policy frameworks with European Union ( smart research frameworks through diagnosing the current institutional and infrastructural gaps and proposing pathways for future regional collaboration, policy transfer, and policy coherence. Prior work: Smart transformation in research in Higher Education Institutions ( is a necessity in the WB region, where digitaization of research workflows and innovation education and scientific research technologies are needed.
Previous research has shown that national research systems are fragmented, especially in terms of smart science and digitalization. Innovation systems, technology transfer mechanisms, and smart specialization remain under development, and the potential of regional cooperation for international competitiveness remains unexplored. Approach: This study employs a comparative policy analysis approach through systematically comparing national legislations, national policies, and frameworks. It assesses alignment with EU policies and
frameworks and alignment between the countries of the WB region, identifying the main gaps and the potential for smart research regional cooperation. Results: Findings of this study show that there remain significant disparities in terms of the level of capacity building, regional cooperation, funding, stakeholder engagement,
digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology transfer. International cooperation and, more specifically, coordinated regional cooperation for smart specialization of the WB region. Implications Addressing the identified gaps requires a harmonization of policy instruments at the regional level and strengthening regional
collaboration platforms not only between HEIs but also with other stakeholders such as the public sector and industry. Value: This study provides insights for policy makers, HEIs, innovation and research providers, public entities, industry, and other concerned civil society, which are the main stakeholders in the development
of the Quadruple Helix Models. With adequate regional coordination and cooperation effort, the WB region can be a dynamic actor in the European Research Area - ERA