Spatial relationships to support knowledge transformation in business idea. The network of POINT- Italian Technological Pole

The increasing importance recognized to interconnection between research and entrepreneurship, requires to pay attention to the new interactive approach through which technology transfer takes place. In the process of technology transfer knowledge is transformed in business idea and this one is supported in its development. In this perspective the main aim of this paper is to investigate how this process of knowledge transformation can be supported by a local network of actors that involves universities and research centres, local entrepreneurs, public institutions. These actors generate strict interrelationships characterized by mutual understanding based on spatial proximity. This one supports the process of technology transfer, and its development in spinning off new ventures from academic labs. The relationships developed by firms in local context allow them to take benefits from firms agglomeration (Marshall, 1920). In the latter a set of interrelated actors performs activities transforming interconnected and interdependent heterogeneous resources (Hakansson, Waluszewski, 2002). In this context Science and Technology Park realizes knowledge transfer supporting relationships developed by hosted firms and by actors that belong to local area. The empirical evidence of this paper investigates the activity of POINT, the Italian technological Pole, focusing attention on support provided to spin off.