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The contribution of university, private and public sector resources to Italian regional innovation system (in)efficiency

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  • Cristian Barra

    (University of Salerno)

  • Roberto Zotti

    (University of Salerno)

Abstract

This paper investigates the regional innovation system (RIS) efficiency, and its determinants, in Italy through a stochastic frontier analysis and using the concept of a knowledge production function. The contribution of university, private and public sector resources devoted to research and development (R&D), in generating innovation, has been examined, as well as the impact of several exogenous environmental variables on RIS efficiency. The empirical findings are in favour of the importance of R&D investments taking place in the universities and in the private sector, which benefit the most to regional innovation activities; the evidence also suggests the relevance of the knowledge context in which the firms operate as the existence of an intermediation structure, such as a university technology transfer office, has an important role on the innovation process. State-level policies can be detrimental for overall efficiency, and instead special interventions for regions in the Southern area should be designed.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristian Barra & Roberto Zotti, 2018. "The contribution of university, private and public sector resources to Italian regional innovation system (in)efficiency," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 432-457, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:43:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10961-016-9539-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-016-9539-7
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    4. Diana-Manuela LINA, 2019. "The Role Of Universities In Regional Innovation Systems. One-Step Further In Assuming The Third Mission?," EURINT, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 6, pages 288-310.
    5. Yaliu Yang & Yuan Wang & Yingyan Zhang & Conghu Liu, 2022. "Data-Driven Coupling Coordination Development of Regional Innovation EROB Composite System: An Integrated Model Perspective," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(13), pages 1-25, June.
    6. Pegkas, Panagiotis & Staikouras, Christos & Tsamadias, Constantinos, 2019. "Does research and development expenditure impact innovation? Evidence from the European Union countries," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 41(5), pages 1005-1025.
    7. Cristian Barra & Nazzareno Ruggiero, 2022. "On the impact of knowledge and institutional spillovers on RIS efficiency. Evidence from Italian regional level," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(2), pages 702-752, June.
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    15. Soares, Thiago J. & Torkomian, Ana L.V. & Nagano, Marcelo Seido, 2020. "University regulations, regional development and technology transfer: The case of Brazil," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Regional innovation system; Technical efficiency; Knowledge production function;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C67 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Input-Output Models
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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