Assessing university-business collaborations for moderate innovators: Implications for university-led innovation policy evaluation. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marra, Mita; Alfano, Vincenzo; Celentano, Roberto Michele
• Is Part Of: Evaluation and program planning. Volume 95(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: University-Industry Collaborations (UICs) -- University-led innovation policy -- University's societal impact -- Knowledge ecosystem -- Innovation ecosystems -- Innovative start-ups; Health planning -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7189

Abstract

Abstract: The growing literature on University-Industry Collaborations (UICs) highlights how learning processes get unevenly located in space, within centers of innovative activity, where the local presence of research-oriented universities plays a crucial role. Through a mixed-methods approach, this article explores the firm-level drivers of innovation and the interactions between a sample of companies and the local university in a moderate innovation EU region. Findings highlight that firms' size, sector, leadership's commitment to digitalization, and collaborations with the university explain companies' innovative performance. The article contributes to the university's societal impact assessment and discusses the implications for university-led innovation for Smart Specialization. Highlights: Analysis at the firm- and territorial levels of the drivers of digital innovation. Operationalization of innovation based on five technology maturity indices. Focus on university-business collaborations and the learning mechanisms potentially conducive to innovation. Analysis of costs, benefits, and the context enabling conditions associated with university-business collaborations.