In recent years, within a context of shrinking resources and rigorous budget constraints, both
nation-wide and local governments are confronted with a growing demand for research funding by
universities and, more broadly, by public research organizations (PROs).
One criterion for efficient allocation of scarce resources cannot overlook evaluation of the
economic and social benefits of research for local and nation-wide communities. This possibility
may become even more important in the ”knowledge society”, in which the role of scientific
research is seen as essential from many points of view.
Recent literature on the topic on one hand emphasizes the importance of spill-over effects which
foster agglomeration economies and, on the other, the difficulty of evaluating benefits arising from
public investment in research, which takes various and often not easily measurable forms.
In particular, some channels have been identified through which benefits flow toward the local
economy in terms of new competences, technologies and networks of relationships.
Region Friuli Venezia Giulia and, in particular, the Trieste area that is characterized by a very high
concentration of (mainly international) research organizations and by the emergence of a lively
sector of small firms working in the field of R&D, represent an interesting case study to verify the
presence as well as the relevance of specific channels of knowledge diffusion between university
and industry at local level.
