This study conducts a comparative evaluation of the innovation performance of the
Visegrad Group countries ̶ Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia ̶ through a dual-framework
analysis based on the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) 2024 and the Global Innovation
Index (GII) 2024. To assesshow efficiently each country transforms innovation-related
inputs into outputs, the research employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a nonparametric
method widely used for performance benchmarking. Both input-oriented and output-oriented
DEA models are applied under the assumptionof variable returns to scale, enabling
the assessment of relative innovation efficiency and the identification of countries
that operate close to or far fromthe efficiency frontier. Despite their shared historical
and socio-economic characteristics, the findings reveal notable disparities in innovation
efficiencyamong the Visegrad countries. Slovakia emerges as the most efficient, demonstrating
strong performance in both input- and output-oriented models,which indicates a well-balanced
and effectively managed innovation system. Poland follows with high input-oriented
efficiency scores, suggestingprudent resource utilization, although there remains
potential to enhance innovation output. Czechia, while achieving strong results in
absoluteinnovation indicators, ranks lower in DEA-based efficiency due to relatively
high output-oriented inefficiency, indicating underperformance inconverting inputs
into impactful results. Hungary consistently ranks at the bottom across both models,
highlighting significant challenges in translatinginnovation investments into measurable
outcomes and signaling the need for improvements in system effectiveness. These findings
are placed in thecontext of previous studies on innovation performance in Central
and Eastern Europe. Earlier research has often focused on input intensity or outputvolume,
but few have combined efficiency analysis across multiple global indices. The findings
of the study support prior conclusions that innovationsystems in the Visegrad countries
are unevenly developed, and that structural inefficiencies ̶ such as limited innovation
collaboration, low levels ofventure capital investment, or weak commercialization
processes ̶ are central to the performance gaps. The results also provide actionable
insights forpolicy design. Slovakia and Poland can serve as benchmarks within the
region for balanced and efficient innovation systems. Czechia may benefit fromtargeted
interventions to improve output transformation mechanisms, while Hungary requires
a more comprehensive overhaul of its innovationecosystem, with emphasis on fostering
public-private cooperation and knowledge diffusion. By combining the strengths of
two leading innovationmeasurement frameworks and the analytical power of DEA, this
study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of innovation performance.
