ABSTRACT
Romanias innovation performance did not improve in the last years. Consequently, the country remained in the Modest/Emerging innovators category in the European Innovation Scoreboard. Considering the importance of innovation for the economic development and recovery after Covid-19 pandemic, the present research aims to compare the development of the RD&I systems in five Member States- Romania and other four states with better performance in EIS. The main objective of the study is to investigate Romania s situation regarding the RD&I system development compared with EUs average and other Member States in order to identify the existing problems and the causes that led to its low performance in the EIS. The research methodology consists of an exploratory study conducted using secondary data analysis collected from the European Innovation Scoreboard database. The results of the analysis revealed that Romania registered upward trends only regarding four indicators: exports of knowledge- intensive services, high-tech exports, presence of venture capital funds and broadband penetration. The analysis of innovation activities revealed a constant underfunding of the research and innovation field, which also has repercussions on the quality of scientific activity, the attractiveness of the academic environment and on the number of applications for patents, brands and design.