Entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial propensity of low-carbon technologies in advanced materials and automotive in Central and Eastern Europe

Building upon the statistically tested and validated conceptual model to examine the propensity of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in the innovation systems of EU27 countries (Radosevic and Yoruk, 2013) the methodology paper for this empirical paper was presented in GRINCOH Paper No 3.9 (T6). Based on these, this research explores the role of technology, market and institutions on entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial propensity in low-carbon production activities in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) manufacturing industries. A multiple case study approach is pursued involving entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial ventures operating in advanced materials and electric auto/auto parts technology fields from three CEE countries, namely Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. The data are collected via an extensive survey questionnaire. An analysis of firms, based on a comparison of type of low-carbon activities in conventional advanced materials technologies (control group), science-based advanced materials technologies and niche technologies in electric auto/auto parts, reveal that CEE region has serious potential for both entrepreneurial ventures and intrapreneurial activities in science-based and niche low-carbon technologies, if elements of institutional framework are enhanced to support these firms to exploit available technological and market opportunities in the innovation system.