The transformation of knowledge in business idea. The catalyst role of Science and Technology Parks

The increasing focus on innovation requires paying more attention to the way through which innovation can be developed. Based on this idea, attention should be focused on a cooperative approach that characterises the interactive technology transfer and the capitalisation of knowledge that generates innovation. Through the interconnected and cooperative relationships arising from learning processes and emphasised by the Industrial Network Approach, network actors can share resources and combine competences, thereby increasing their value. In this innovation process, Science and Technology Parks (STPs) play a significant role in supporting networking among key actors identified through the spiral model of innovation in firms, research centres-universities, and public institutions. Investigating the activities of Italian STPs, this paper aims to demonstrate how STPs can generate and achieve a competitive advantage for those participating in the innovation network, explicating their role as a catalyst in the interconnected relationships.