ABSTRACT

Universities are increasingly expected to engage in regional innovation policy. This has reinforced the need for organizational adaptation of university structures to respond to these new challenges. Recently, a variation in the typical knowledge transfer structures has emerged: strategic network interface units. These units are multidisciplinary and cluster-like formal networks led by universities in collaboration with businesses, government authorities and other organizations. This paper compares the organizational adaptation of two universities – the University of Aveiro and the Autonomous University of Barcelona – as they assume increased responsibilities in regional innovation dynamics. Through interview-based analysis, findings suggest these interface units were created to support the alignment of the universities with smart specialization strategies and EU priority areas for accessing funding. However, while the original aims of these units are very similar, their institutional and operational configuration has led to different cooperative arrangements. Transversal communication based on trust and capacity-building was an important supporting factor in the innovation impact of these units.

摘要

人们越来越期待大学参与区域创新政策。这加强了对大学结构进行组织调整以应对这些新挑战的必要性。最近，出现了典型知识转移结构的一种变体：战略网络接口单元。这些单位是由大学与企业、政府当局和其他组织合作领导的多学科和类似集群的正式网络。本文比较了两所大学——阿威罗大学和巴塞罗那自治大学——在区域创新动态中承担更多责任时的组织适应。通过访谈分析，调查结果表明，创建这些接口单元是为了支持大学与智能专业化战略和欧盟优先领域的协调，以获得资金。然而，虽然这些单位的最初目标非常相似，但它们的机构和运作配置导致了不同的合作安排。基于信任和能力建设的横向沟通是这些单位创新影响的重要支撑因素。