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Knowledge networks and universities: Locational and organisational aspects of knowledge transfer interactions

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  • Robert Huggins
  • Andrew Johnston
  • Chris Stride

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the inter-organisational knowledge networks that universities in the UK engage in through their knowledge transfer activities. In particular, it analyses the extent to which organisational and locational factors are associated with the nature of these networks. Based on a UK-wide survey of universities, it is shown that the nature and formation of inter-organisational knowledge networks is related principally to the organisational characteristics of network actors, and secondarily to their spatial location. The characteristics of a network actor, in this case a university, are likely to influence the type, diversity and location of other actors with which it networks. Nevertheless, spatial location is an important secondary factor influencing network formation, especially the geographic reach of a university's network. It is further found that the value generated by universities from their knowledge networks is associated with the type of organisations within which they interact as well as their spatial location. It is concluded that such networks impact both regional innovation capability and regional competitiveness. The results have implications for policymakers, especially in terms of the spatial scale at which the demand and supply for university knowledge can be best mediated.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Huggins & Andrew Johnston & Chris Stride, 2012. "Knowledge networks and universities: Locational and organisational aspects of knowledge transfer interactions," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(7-8), pages 475-502, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:24:y:2012:i:7-8:p:475-502
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2011.618192
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    1. Bresnahan,Timothy & Gambardella,Alfonso (ed.), 2004. "Building High-Tech Clusters," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521827225.
    2. Roel Rutten & Frans Boekema, 2007. "The Learning Region: Foundations, State of the Art, Future," Chapters, in: Roel Rutten & Frans Boekema (ed.), The Learning Region, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Olli Lehtonen & Markku Tykkyläinen, 2018. "Path dependence in net migration during the ICT boom and two other growth periods: the case of Finland, 1980-2013," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 547-564, August.
    2. Andrew Johnston & Peter Wells, 2020. "Assessing the role of universities in a place-based Industrial Strategy: Evidence from the UK," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 35(4), pages 384-402, June.
    3. Joana Almodovar & Aurora A.C. Teixeira, 2014. "Assessing the Importance of Local Supporting Organizations in the Automotive Industry: A Hybrid Dynamic Framework of Innovation Networks," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 841-865, April.
    4. Pierre-Jean Benghozi & Elisa Salvador, 2014. "Are traditional industrial partnerships so strategic for research spin-off development? Some evidence from the Italian case," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1-2), pages 47-79, April.
    5. Andrew Johnston & Robert Huggins, 2017. "University-industry links and the determinants of their spatial scope: A study of the knowledge intensive business services sector," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(2), pages 247-260, June.
    6. Călin Florin Băban & Marius Băban, 2022. "An Orchestration Perspective on Open Innovation between Industry–University: Investigating Its Impact on Collaboration Performance," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(15), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Marta Ferrer-Serrano & M. Pilar Latorre-Martínez & Lucio Fuentelsaz, 2021. "The European research landscape under the Horizon 2020 Lenses: the interaction between science centers, public institutions, and industry," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 828-853, June.
    8. Torben Schubert & Henning Kroll, 2016. "Universities’ effects on regional GDP and unemployment: The case of Germany," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(3), pages 467-489, August.
    9. Thomas Brekke, 2021. "What Do We Know about the University Contribution to Regional Economic Development? A Conceptual Framework," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 44(2), pages 229-261, March.
    10. Qiantao Zhang & Niall G. MacKenzie & Dylan Jones-Evans & Robert Huggins, 2016. "Leveraging knowledge as a competitive asset? The intensity, performance and structure of universities’ entrepreneurial knowledge exchange activities at a regional level," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 657-675, October.
    11. Manuel Fernández-Esquinas & María Isabel Sánchez-Rodríguez & José Antonio Pedraza-Rodríguez & Rocío Muñoz-Benito, 2021. "The use of QCA in science, technology and innovation studies: a review of the literature and an empirical application to knowledge transfer," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(8), pages 6349-6382, August.
    12. Berbegal-Mirabent, Jasmina & Gil-Doménech, Dolors & de la Torre, Rocío, 2019. "Dealing with heterogeneity: An analysis of Spanish universities," TEC Empresarial, School of Business, Costa Rica Institute of Technology (ITCR), vol. 13(3), pages 58-77.
    13. Chau, Vinh Sum & Gilman, Mark & Serbanica, Cristina, 2017. "Aligning university–industry interactions: The role of boundary spanning in intellectual capital transfer," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 199-209.
    14. Kroll, Henning & Schubert, Torben, 2014. "On universities' long-term effects on regional value creation and unemployment: The case of Germany," Working Papers "Firms and Region" R1/2014, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    15. Degl’Innocenti, Marta & Matousek, Roman & Tzeremes, Nickolaos G., 2019. "The interconnections of academic research and universities’ “third mission”: Evidence from the UK," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    16. Rossi, Federica & Sengupta, Abhijit, 2022. "Implementing strategic changes in universities’ knowledge exchange profiles: The role and nature of managerial interventions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 874-887.
    17. Johnston, Andrew & Huggins, Robert, 2018. "Partner selection and university-industry linkages: Assessing small firms' initial perceptions of the credibility of their partners," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 15-26.
    18. Compagnucci, Lorenzo & Spigarelli, Francesca, 2020. "The Third Mission of the university: A systematic literature review on potentials and constraints," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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