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Territory’s Absorptive Capacity

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  • Schillaci Carmela Elita

    (Università degli Studi di Catania, Piazza dell’Università n. 2 – 95131 Catania, Province of Catania, Italy)

  • Romano Marco

    (Università degli Studi di Catania, Piazza dell’Università n. 2 – 95131 Catania, Province of Catania, Italy)

  • Nicotra Melita

    (Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia, Catania, Province of Catania, Italy)

Abstract

In the paper, the concept of absorptive capacity, already successfully applied to firms, is extended to territories. Territory’s Absorptive Capacity is here defined as the ability of a Region to identify, assimilate, and exploit external knowledge.From a theoretical point of view, the concept of Territory’s Absorptive Capacity integrates two fields of studies, those of innovation systems and regional science.Three propositions are developed starting from the consideration that territory’s absorptive capacity is dependent on increasing investments in human resource learning in a Region, promoting R&D activities and, above all, integrating knowledge flows through the action of territorial knowledge gatekeepers.

Suggested Citation

  • Schillaci Carmela Elita & Romano Marco & Nicotra Melita, 2013. "Territory’s Absorptive Capacity," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 3(1), pages 109-126, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:erjour:v:3:y:2013:i:1:p:109-126:n:1
    DOI: 10.1515/erj-2012-0001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Absorptive Capacity; System of Innovation; Territory; Knowledge Gatekeepers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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