Italian Industry and Universities

Abstract

Activities and interest in the sphere of university–industry interaction have grown rapidly in Italy over the past ten years, but cooperation between the sectors is still in its infancy and there is a lack of formal structures for liaison. With special reference to the research programme Progetto Impresa-Università of the Fondazione RUI, the author assesses recent developments in university–industry interaction in Italy and points up organizational and structural constraints. He suggests various policy and organizational measures to encourage and facilitate cooperative activities, while at the same time taking into account the necessity to avoid imposing cooperation on academic institutions.