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Spin-offs, Environmental KIBS and the Role of Universities for Sustainability

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Rethinking Clusters

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

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Abstract

The chapter analyzes the role of Universities in supporting the development of a sustainability-oriented offering of spin-offs. In particular we focus on environmental KIBS (eKIBS) as peculiar spin-offs who could exploit their interaction with Universities to overcome the complexity of the circular economy framework. Based on five case studies of spin-offs originated in the University of Padova (Italy), the chapter suggests how universities support innovation in eKIBS, especially providing access to scientific frontiers and to physical, human and reputational resources. The importance of geographical and cognitive proximity is highlighted.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The study has been developed within the Unicity project, funded by the University of Padova with the aim at capturing the role of the University in the development of the city of Padova and its territory related to knowledge transfer. More information at: http://www.unicitylab.eu

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Acknowledgement

The research has been supported by the project Unicity, financed by the University of Padova (Italy), CISR-Centro Studi Regionali ‘Giorgio Lago’ and Department of Economics and Management ‘Marco Fanno’. Research has been also supported by the project ‘Manufacturing activities and value creation: redesigning firm’s competitiveness through digital manufacturing in a circular economy framework’—grant n. BIRD161248/16 (University of Padova, Department of Economics and Management). The authors want to thank Benedetta Martini and Umberto Velluso for their contribution to fieldwork activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Eleonora Di Maria, Valentina De Marchi & Elena Bonel

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  1. Eleonora Di Maria
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  2. Valentina De Marchi
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  3. Elena Bonel
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Correspondence to Eleonora Di Maria .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Silvia Rita Sedita

  2. Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Silvia Blasi

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Di Maria, E., De Marchi, V., Bonel, E. (2021). Spin-offs, Environmental KIBS and the Role of Universities for Sustainability. In: Sedita, S.R., Blasi, S. (eds) Rethinking Clusters. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61923-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61923-7_4

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