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

This paper explores the nature of the significant knowledge networks universities form with external organisations through knowledge transfer activities. Focussing on the UK higher education system, the analysis focuses on examining the extent to which organisational and locational characteristics are associated with the nature of these networks, finding that the nature of the networks universities form through knowledge transfer are related to both characteristics. In particular, we find that the institution’s status is important with more established universities are likely to have a more diverse range of organisations with which they interact, as well as a higher number of non-local interactions. In terms of geographic location, we find that universities within lagging regions tend to have more locally focused networks than universities in more leading regions. Overall, the knowledge transfer networking capacity of universities is found to be associated with the regional business environment within which they are situated, with the results going someway to confirming the importance of the role of universities in regional innovation systems, However, it also the case that more established, research focussed, universities are more likely to form part of wider , and possibly even more globalised, knowledge networks. Therefore, both the flow and stock of knowledge within regions is likely to be influenced by the networks formed by its universities, which has implications for both regional innovation capability and regional competitiveness

Science, technology, and innovation for economic competitiveness: the role of smart specialization in less-developed countries

Smart specialization (SS) is a policy concept that has gained significant momentum in Europe despite a frail theoretical background and implementation difficulties. These challenges become critical in the case of less-developed economies that often lack regional autonomy, a strong STI base, and local capabilities to identify and sustain such SS strategies. Combining elements from evolutionary economics and the export-led literature, I propose a framework that anchors the role of SS in the national innovation policy of such laggards, as a complementary avenue for improving competitiveness and growth. Moreover, to assist policy makers in lagging regions or countries, I advance a diagnostic tool to identify potential areas for SS, and also address the systemic and the regional-sectoral bottlenecks in these domains. I exemplify the use of this tool in the case of Bulgaria by using a large battery of quantitative and qualitative indicators from publicly available data. This type of investigation may be useful for other less-developed economies to kick-start this process and identify prima facie SS candidates

The Economic Integration Maturity of Romania and Bulgaria

The paper discusses the issue of integration maturity in the case of Romania and Bulgaria. These countries joined the European Union in 2007 and since then several economic issues and problems were revealed related to their accession. The aim of this paper is to analyze the economic integration maturity of Romania and Bulgaria at the time of their accession and since then. The paper suggests that although these countries fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria were not fully prepared to join the EU markets. The paper forms the hypothesis that Romania and Bulgaria did not fulfill all the criteria of economic integration maturity and were not fully ready to join the EU in 2007. However, by the time of their accession, their readiness was appropriate to join. To prove this, the paper uses the methodology of economic integration maturity. The concept of integration maturity is more complex than the economic accession criteria since it shows how a candidate country is able to exploit the benefits of membership and minimize its drawbacks before and after the accession. Based on data analysis and document analysis it can be examined how successfully these countries could exploit the economic stimulating effects of joining the economic integration, how effectively took advantage in cohesion and convergence to the other member states during their membership. In sum, it can be stated whether Romania and Bulgaria were able to exploit the benefits of their membership and minimize the drawbacks