Factors and mechanisms affecting University-Industry interactions: evidence from Southern Italy

This paper aims to identify and analyze factors, motivations and mechanisms affecting collaborative forms of university-industry interactions in the context of the metropolitan area of Naples (Southern Italy). This work presents the results of a study designed and implemented through a partnership between University of Naples Federico II (UNF) and the Industrial Association of Naples (UIN). We used data retrieved from 88 firms that had interacted at least once with at least one Department of the University of Naples Federico II in the last 3 years. Firms belonged to different sectors and to different size categories, thus results will cover interactions activities based on those two elements. Results obtained during the field research were used to understand mechanisms and motives adopted by firms to collaborate with universities.