Numerous studies agree that innovation has a key role in economic development. A common conclusion among these studies is the central importance of innovation in fostering economic development, with R&D investments seen as essential to enhancing national competitiveness. Within this framework, collaborative networks between firms and universities play a strategic role, as they facilitate knowledge transfer. Building on the work of Ciccarelli et al. (2025), which analyzed the macroeconomic spillovers of universities and firms R&D regional expenditure on value added, this study shifts the focus to the micro-level in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these effects. Using data from Permanent Business Census carried out by ISTAT since 2019, this paper shows the importance of R&D, and particularly the effect on firm performance of collaboration with universities.
INNOVATION DRIVERS AT FIRM LEVEL: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION IN R&D (PRELIMINARY REMARKS)
andrea ciccarelli
;audrey de dominicis;
2026-01-01
Abstract
Numerous studies agree that innovation has a key role in economic development. A common conclusion among these studies is the central importance of innovation in fostering economic development, with R&D investments seen as essential to enhancing national competitiveness. Within this framework, collaborative networks between firms and universities play a strategic role, as they facilitate knowledge transfer. Building on the work of Ciccarelli et al. (2025), which analyzed the macroeconomic spillovers of universities and firms R&D regional expenditure on value added, this study shifts the focus to the micro-level in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these effects. Using data from Permanent Business Census carried out by ISTAT since 2019, this paper shows the importance of R&D, and particularly the effect on firm performance of collaboration with universities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
