Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyses the relationship between R&D agreements and innovation, on one hand, and service output, on the other, through the study of actor providers in the form of organization locus in the innovation processes. Economic and management literature already showed the relevance of R&D networking (R&D contracts, strategic alliance, other ties) in developing technology, innovation and services. In recent years, public/private actors of Innovation and Tecnology Transfert have become pivotal in this process, despite the fact that other studies show that inter-firm and provider's networking can facilitate the innovation process, it will not automatically lead to an innovation success and to industrial transferred output. The paper focuses on the Science and Technology Parks' (STPs) activity in R&D networking to develop innovation output, particularly on ex ante and competitive research projects. Finally, empirical evidence consists of a survey about 15 Italian STPs and decision maker's strategic implications.