Public procurement jako nástroj rozvoje smart city technologií v České republice

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the steps taken by the Czech government and local administrative authorities in the public procurement of smart city technologies in the Czech Republic. The thesis opens by defining the Smart City concept, including its characteristic elements and stakeholders. It continues by examining public procurement and its impact on technology development. This part is followed by a detailed analysis of the current state of public procurement in the Czech Republic, including the legal framework for public procurement and the approach of Czech state institutions to procurement related to technology and innovation. The second half of the thesis uses in-depth interviews with representatives of Czech private companies operating in the field of smart city technologies to determine how these companies perceive the current approach of the Czech public administration in this area, whether they feel sufficiently motivated to develop their business further, and what they perceive as the main challenges for the development of smart city technologies in the Czech Republic. In its conclusion, the paper presents a series of recommendations that could contribute to solving the main problems of public procurement of smart city technologies and creating a better innovation environment in the Czech Republic.