Knowledge transfer at the basis of the competitiveness: A critical review of the main policies

Several are the concomitant factors enabling the development of the knowledge transfer, first among all the awareness that university knowledge is at the basis of innovation and business productivity, generating relevant competitive advantages. Public policies have focused on fostering kind of mechanisms, both at national and European level. However, the knowledge transfer is a complex process, involving several actors and different objectives, often conflicting. Our review of the literature reveals that the obstacles to an effective and efficient knowledge transfer are numerous and of various nature, ranging from incentive system at individual level to process managing at institutional level as well as at national and European level. We focus on the tree main knowledge transfer mechanisms, namely licensing, patenting and start-up companies. Extant studies show that steps have been taken but there is still long way to go. Suggestions for policy makers and management are provided, and implications are discussed in the concluding section.