The Role of Knowledge and Innovation for Sustainable Development. Research on European Union Countries.

In contemporary society knowledge and innovation are seen as vital sources and driving forces for sustainable development, one of the major goals in the world we live today, a subject of great interest for researchers and policy makers. Given this context, the paper aims to analyze and determine the role of EU countries performances in innovation, in generating knowledge, in promoting and using high "green" technologies for their progress towards sustainable development, as evaluated by different systems of measurement for both issues of interest. The methodology is based on methods of analysis and synthesis, of interpretation and relevant comparisons. The paper focuses on identifying the successful key factors of knowledge and innovation systems in determining a sustainable approach and behaviour in society. The results of the research may have a large impact for scientific community preoccupied with knowledge, innovation and sustainable development issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]