Inovacijske politike imaju važnu ulogu u ekonomskom sustavu. U diplomskom radu se analizira i istražuje njihovo djelovanje na povećanje konkurentnosti Republike Hrvatske, koje se primarno odražava kroz makroekonomske indikatore. Pomoću makroekonomskih i institucionalnih indikatora odredit će se trenutno stanje konkurentnosti Republike Hrvatske u odnosu na odabrane zemlje članice Europske unije. Kroz poticajne politike i fondove Europske unije te pojačano ulaganje u istraživanje i razvoj, visoke tehnologije i visoko obrazovanje, Republika Hrvatska ima potencijala za povećanje gospodarskog rasta i jačanje same konkurentnosti. Okosnicu diplomskog rada čini empirijska analiza utjecaja inovacijskih politika koje doprinose povećanju konkurentnosti. Dodatnim naporima i ulaganjem u istraživanje i razvoj, povećanjem broja patenata i visokoobrazovanih, stručnih osoba može se poboljšati životni standard stanovništva te popraviti konkurentno stanje Republike Hrvatske, naročito na tržištu Europske unije, ali i na svjetskom tržištu, kako su to napravile jednako male i krizom zahvaćene tranzicijske zemlje članice Europske unije.

Innovation policies have a wide range of effects on the economic system. This graduation thesis analyzes and researches their impact on the increase of competitiveness of the Republic of Croatia, which is primarily reflected throughout macroeconomic indicators. The current state of competitiveness od the Republic of Croatia, compared to selected European Union member states, will be determined by macroeconomic and institutional indicators. Through incentive policies and EU funds and increased investment in research and development, high technology and higher education, the Republic of Croatia has the potential to increase economic growth and strengthening competitiveness itself. The framework of this thesis makes an empirical analysis of the impact of innovation policies which contribute to increase of the competitiveness. With the additional efforts and investments in research and development, increase number of patents and highly educated, professional people, the Republic of Croatia can improve the standard of living and make the competitive situation better, in particular on the EU market, but also in the global market, as the small and crisis affected European Union member states in transition did.