Role of research and technology organisations in innovation: bridging basic research and technological development through collaboration

This paper highlights the overlooked role of research and technology organisations as key intermediaries in the innovation system, bridging the gap between fundamental research and technological development. Focusing on the Spanish context - specifically the Basque Country - it examines the motivations and contributions of researchers from a leading research and technology organisation and a public university collaborating on science, technology, and innovation projects. The study shows that researchers pursue complementary goals: those in technology centres focus on strengthening the scientific foundation of applied research, while university researchers prioritise expanding professional networks. Their collaboration fosters significant advances in technological maturity, as evidenced by the outcomes of joint projects. Findings underscore the critical role of technology centres in advancing innovation, particularly for SMEs, and highlight their unique contributions to knowledge transfer. This study calls for greater recognition of these organisations in bridging the divide between science and industry.