Knowledge transfer, university system and networking settings in competitive and uncompetitive regions: an international comparison

The purpose of this paper is to analyse knowledge transfer in the university system and networking settings through a literature review and by adopting, in the future, an international comparison between competitive and uncompetitive regions in the current scenario (Huggins, Johnston, 2009). Following this aim, the paper presents the characteristics and differences between social and capital networks (Aiken, 2010; Chakrabarti, Rice 2003; Cheng-Nan et al. 2007; Huggins, 2010) as well as hybrid and institutional organizations to define the knowledge transfer model useful within an international context. The analysis has been developed, in this first phase of the research, through the review of literature. This current analysis is the first step of our research aimed at showing how the knowledge transfer is activated by universities (Dearlove, 2002) and which is the best networking model able to support knowledge sharing in different regional contexts (Cardoni, 2015; Clark, 1998; Etzkowitz, 2008; Goddard, Kempton, 2011; Guerrero, Urbano, 2010; Gunasekara, 2006; Trequattrini et al., 2015). Design/methodology/approach – We propose a qualitative approach based on a comparison between competitive and uncompetitive regions of different countries in order to recognize which university model and networking setting can facilitate knowledge transfer towards the territory. The sources of the paper are of a secondary nature. Several articles, documents, books and websites have been consulted. Originality/value – This methodology highlights the knowledge transfer activated by universities and networks towards the environment and points out the differences and provides suggestions in order to improve the knowledge transfer of the traditional university model. In this way, the current research contributes towards expanding the international literature on the topic of knowledge transfer. Practical implications – The major implication of the paper is to find the characteristics and differences between competitive and uncompetitive regions through a future international comparison. However, findings of the paper are aimed at introducing suggestions towards the activation of knowledge transfer in traditional universities.