Technology Parks and University—Business Relations in Spain

Abstract

Despite the proliferation of technology parks in Spain during the past decade, very little research has been done to date on the results achieved by these structures. While it is true that their history has been short, as has that of Spain's entire science—technology—industry complex, some assessment is now needed to ensure that future designs are efficient and effective. With this objective in mind, the authors first provide a brief background sketch of university—business relations as they stood when the first technology parks were established in Spain, together with a summary of the major institutional and psychological barriers separating the academic and business worlds. They then give details of the role that Spanish technology parks have played in promoting relations between businesses and universities. In order to add depth to their analysis, the authors present two case studies: the Basque Technology Park at Zamudio and the Technology Park of Castilla-León, which represent two different models for setting up a technology park as an interface structure in the science—technology—industry system at regional level.