Technology Transfer: Spatial Analysis

Aim of this paper is to analyse the spatial aspects of technology transfer (t.t.) in Cnr Institutes of Piemonte, a highly industrialised region in North Western Italy. The specific purpose is to verify two hypotheses 1) If the spatial propagation of t.t. follows the Hägerstrand adjacency-effect; 2) If there is a reduction of Hägerstrand adjacency-effect between Institutes and dynamical manufacturing areas which are localised far from knowledge sources. This work uses the data from internal administrative documents (invoices, customers’ list) of the Institutes, for the 1996-1998 period. These hypotheses have been verified with geometrical and mathematical tools (Indices BASTT, ASTT, MITT, IDI). The latter have been built considering a spatial approach which is both neo-classical (physical distance) and modern (interaction). The empirical results confirm the hypotheses: the t.t. decreases when the physical space is more extended (Hp 1), moreover some Institutes have a strong t.t. activity toward industrial districts which are localised far (Hp 2). An example is t.t. from wool Institute localised in Biella to Prato and Vicenza textile areas or the t.t. from the agricultural mechanisation Institute of Turin toward firms localised in Reggio Emilia region.