Universities and Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) as Sources of Knowledge for Innovative Firms in Peripheral Regions

Abstract

Pinto H., Fernandez-Esquinas M. and Uyarra E. Universities and knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) as sources of knowledge for innovative firms in peripheral regions, Regional Studies. Knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) make a crucial contribution to regional innovation. Their relevance is potentially higher in peripheral territories, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises to access knowledge. Nevertheless, regions often concentrate research and development capabilities in the public sector, while highly specialized services provided by firms are scarce. Using data from 737 firms in Andalusia, Spain, this article connects the literatures of KIBS and university–industry interactions. This paper finds that absorptive capacity remains a central dimension in interactions with universities and the use of KIBS. Even if KIBS firms do not demonstrate higher propensities to interact with universities, the use of both channels is evidence of knowledge circulation between innovative firms and universities' advanced services.