S2: Triple Helix Study / University-industry-government Linkages Regional University Knowledge Centres: a Comparison between the Hungarian Automotive and Ict Industries

Despite the voluminous literature on the role of RDI networks in economic development there are rather few information about their internal structure and functioning. This information is very relevant to highlight the most important factors in favour or against RDI networking. In places where the general circumstances are not really favouring such knowledge intensive collaborations the governments try to boost the process. The Regional University Knowledge Centres program was an attempt by the Hungarian government to enhance university-industry linkages and collaboration from R&D to innovation. Within the framework of this government programme consortia in different regions and industries received support and formed a more or less sustainable network of actors. So far the chosen form of government support does not prove to be successful in its every targeted fields but it has very important values to improve the environment for RDI activities. The observations based on the analysed RDI networks show a two-faced scene. They do contribute to raising the level of activities in the core network members but the overall quality of projects among the partners is very uneven and they fail to attract a great number of new entrants into the R&D collaborations. Policymakers should spend more efforts to support fields and activities more suitable for the needs of the industry and thus enhance their commitment towards RDI activities.