Collaboration objectives and the location of the university partner: Evidence from the Piedmont region in Italy1. (28th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isabel Maria, Bodas Freitas; Rossi, Federica; Geuna, Aldo
• Is Part Of: Papers in regional science. Volume 93(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S203
• Page End: S226
• Publication Date: 2013-06-28
• Subjects: O31 -- O32 -- L25 -- R12; University‐industry collaboration -- knowledge transfer -- proximity -- regional economy; Regional planning -- Periodicals; City planning -- Periodicals; Urbanization -- Periodicals; Economic geography -- Periodicals; 307.12
• DOI: 10.1111/pirs.12054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1056-8190

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines firms' decisions to collaborate with universities in their region as opposed to non‐regional universities, focusing on the role of collaboration objectives. Through a survey of a representative sample of manufacturing firms in the Piedmont region (Italy), we find that firms seeking business advice are more likely to collaborate with regional universities while firms seeking R&D support and testing and analysis services are more likely to collaborate with both regional and non‐regional universities. The partner university's location is endogenous to the level of investment in the collaboration; and the collaboration objectives provide good instruments. Some implications for regional policy are discussed.