Science and technology parks, innovation and competitiveness: a theme "in search of an author"

Purpose The paper is based on a national and international literature review about science and technological parks, particularly focusing on their impact on firm’s competitiveness and innovation. So, starting from the main outcomes of the mentioned above research, this paper tries to give a sort of a methodological “reflection” on the main critical factors. Specifically, the paper tries to focus on the following items: - to show the main research outcomes, with the purpose to mark their evolutional characteristics, disciplinarian matrix, methodological aspects and main contents; - to debate on some question marks came out from the main research outcomes. These purposes are based on the hypothesis a lack of clear theoretical elements in studies, specifically in the managerial perspective. Methodology From the methodological point of view, this paper is characterized by an analytical-descriptive approach in the review phase, whereas it is more conceptual in the “reflective” one. The main research steps are as follows: - definition of the type of publication to study on (that is national and international books and periodicals); - finding out the above publication through the main web research engine by some key words present on the title; - definition of the selection principles; - publications’ selection by the title or abstract‘s reading; - publications’ reading and their final selection; - analysis’s instruments definition and critical reading; - studying the information came out from the analytical approach and final critical review. Findings: research limitation/implication The research outcomes are characterized by scientific and managerial implications. On the science side, they are able to offer some suggestions for future research which could be interesting to study on. On the managerial side some actual questions of interest for the operators could be focused, in order to find out the best and more effective types of relationship between parks and enterprises. Anyway it’s also important to underline the research limitations, such as the subjective approach that in some case can have affected the outcomes, mostly in the screening phase. Originality/value of paper Trying to connect the descriptive approach with the reflective one, the paper can find its value.