Brokeraggio tecnologico nel settore metalmeccanico in Emilia-Romagna: dal Parco Scientifico Tecnologico ex-SIPE a CRIT srl

This research proposes an investigation into the creation and the later development, in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, of a private company called CRIT Srl, constituted by a group of large and medium-sized mechanical firms. The purpose of CRIT is not only to act as a technology broker, but also to provide in-teraction spaces between firms, and to contribute to the establishment of new networks of firms, therefore acting as a scaffolding structure. The decision to set up CRIT, in 2000, emerged in the context of a project concerning the construction of a Science Park in Vignola (in the province of Modena) that had been discussed since the second half of the 1990s. After having outlined some important elements of the history of this project (PST ex-Sipe), we will examine the whole range of activities that CRIT had developed in the course of nine years, from 2000 to 2008. Over time, most of the services offered by CRIT, to member and non-member firms, underwent changes following the members’ proposals and their changing needs. This study is part of a wider research project, that investigates public policies and pri-vate interventions that sustain innovation in systems of SMEs. See Russo and Rossi (2009), Rossi, Russo, Sardo and Whitford (2009), Russo and Whitford (2009). The last paper, in particular, uses data that are presented in this work, and it analyzes the characteristics of the network created by CRIT’s actions.