Assessment of the innovation potential of the regions of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus

The concept of innovation potential is complicated and complex, its evolution is closely related to the concept of innovation. There are several approaches to define the innovation potential. Some scientists and researchers define innovation potential as a set of several resources, other scientists - as a result of innovative activity. The author is a supporter of the resource approach and explores the potential of innovation from the perspective of resources. There are several approaches to determining the innovation potential from the resource perspective, however, they are mostly intended for the evaluation of the innovation potential at the national level or at the level of large regions. In addition, most of the assessment methodologies are tailored to the analysis of specific regions and it is difficult to adapt them to the evaluation of other regions. Therefore, the author develops his own methodology for assessing innovation potential, adapted for NUTS3 regions, and uses it to assess the innovation potential of Latvian, Lithuanian and Belarusian regions. The given approach makes it possible to promptly evaluate existing resources and define opportunities, thus providing the region with a stable market position, especially within the regional context, which is required by the ever-increasing and fierce competition.