The Role of Science and Research in Shaping the Quaternary Sector: A Case Study of Czech Nuts3 Regions Within the Learning Regions Concept

The article focuses on the quaternary sector, that is, the part of the economy based on knowledge, expertise, innovation, and information technologies, and its importance for regional development and the formation of the knowledge economy. The aim of the paper is to verify whether the selected key factors underpin the growing significance of the quaternary sector, using the Czech Republic as a case study. Drawing on data from 2009–2022, selected indicators influencing the share of the quaternary sector in the 14 regions (NUTS3) of the Czech Republic were analysed, reflecting the concept of learning regions. To achieve the objective, a regression analysis was conducted and two hypotheses were established. The results show that the most significant predictor of the development of the quaternary sector as a source of the knowledge economy is the number of employees in science and research, whereas the number of research institutions or the level of expenditure on science and research may not directly support its growth. The findings provide a basis for further studies that could better explain the complex processes shaping a knowledge-oriented economy within the framework of the learning regions theory.