Technology Transfer and Territorial Spillover Effects of Innovation: Policy Evolutions and Perspectives

This paper addresses the issue of the spreading of technology transfer processes and the ability of the policies implemented to trigger spillover effects fostering the reduction of existing territorial imbalances. The analysis of specific indicators shows how, in the face of an overall advanced technological innovation of the country as a whole, the structural gaps characterizing Southern regions are significant. The policies adopted in recent years have shown that the measures put in place have not changed the innovation performance on a territorial basis yet, although the route taken and the support by the NRRP envisages positive effects on the creation and development of innovation ecosystems also in the South. This paper presents proposals in this sense, discussing the need to strengthen the potential impact of policy implementation, at the same time considering more specifically territorial cohesion objectives.