Knowledge spillovers in science and technology parks: how can firms benefit most?

This research evaluates the role of science and technology parks as locations fostering local knowledge exchange and promoting innovation. We consider that these knowledge externalities depend on firms' internal efforts and strategies, since their capacity to understand and exploit others' knowledge depends on their own knowledge base. Empirical evidence has been gathered from 2007 to 2011 in a longitudinal analysis on 11,201 firms in total, using a Spanish database from PITEC (Technological Innovation Panel). Results of a two Tobit models with random effects, confirm our hypotheses. First, firms with previous cooperation agreements with universities and research institutions would benefit most from the park as they can more easily incorporate existing knowledge in the park and improve their product innovation. Secondly, results also seem to indicate that product innovation is higher when firms with internal R&D efforts can share knowledge on a reciprocal basis with other firms that are also investing in R&D.