| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 984931 | Research Policy | 2013 | 13 Pages |
This paper analyzes empirically whether expansion of a university system affects local industry innovation. We examine how the opening of new university schools in Italy during 1985–2000 affected regional innovation. We find that creation of new schools increased regional innovation activity already within five years. On average, an opening of a new school has led to a seven percent change in the number of patents filed by regional firms. The evidence suggests that the effect is mainly generated by high quality scientific research brought to the region with new schools.
► We study empirically the effect of universities on industrial innovation activity. ► New universities increase the innovative activity of local industry. ► Creation of universities increases innovation activity especially in poorer regions. ► Traditional measures of academic output explain most of this effect.
