Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems

 

Special Issue on: "The Role of Technology Interface Structures in Technology Transfer and Regional Development"

Guest Editor: Dr. Fernando Gaspar, Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, Portugal

There seems general agreement that we must develop regions, particularly poorer ones, by supporting entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses. The problem is that we do not really know how to do so. This subject is relatively new in management literature and everyone is still looking for policies to encourage such development.

It has been documented that Technology Interface Structures (incubators, venture capital firms, universities, technology parks and others), or TIS, can play a very important role in the creation and survival of startups, particularly technology-based startups. Some studies claim TIS have a positive impact on technology transfer. We can assume that the development of regions largely results from the efforts of local organisations, including companies and organisations of the "mesoeconomy", which contribute to the development of entrepreneurship.

This call for papers draws on the results of a research project called MEDOCC Technopolis – an INTEREREG III-B MEDOCC project involved in the launch of a network of TIS in several Mediterranean regions. It studied four MEDOCC regions – the Algarve (Portugal), Andalusia (Spain), Sicily and Umbria (Italy) – and showed that the end results of the TIS were in all cases positive and relevant. However, the strategies adopted by TIS seemed to vary across regions, suggesting that different regions may use different approaches to technology transfer and entrepreneurship development efforts.

In this context, this issue focuses on deepening our knowledge and understanding of TIS’ role and impact in supporting the development and regional levels of entrepreneurship, innovation and technology transfer. Further aims are to share knowledge on the practical aspects of TIS creation and strategic management, and to encourage “best practices” recommendations for innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship increase and regional development.

Accordingly, this issue will survey both theoretical and empirical (both qualitative and quantitative) studies. Extensive reviews of previous literature on TIS and technology transfer are also welcome. Potential readers of the issue are not only academics but also policymakers and practitioners across the globe.

Subject Coverage
Although submitted manuscripts may focus on theory development, empirical testing or case analysis, each contributor is expected to clearly show the general implications of theoretical consequence or empirical findings for a global readership.
Suitable topics include, but are not limited to:

• Theoretical development on the role of TIS in promoting technology transfer
• Literature review and theoretical perspective
• Models to evaluate TIS performance
• Empirical analyses that evaluate practices in regional development
• Business incubators and new firm creation resulting from university spin-offs
• Science parks and other types of TIS
• Other technology transfer organisations, particularly universities' research centres
• Human resources to promote innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship
• Intellectual property and licensing
• Role of economic authorities in regional innovation systems
• Diffusion of regional innovation policy
• Definition of success in regional development policy

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. (N.B. Conference papers may only be submitted if the paper was not originally copyrighted and if it has been completely re-written).

All papers are refereed through a peer review process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for submitting papers are available on the Author Guidelines page

Important Dates

Paper Submission Deadline: 30 June, 2011