Lugares e redes de conhecimento na área metropolitana do Porto

Abstract

Research institutions and interinstitutional ties are considered crucial to the dynamics of knowledge production, accumulation, and diffusion. This study aims to examine knowledge production/creation on the basis of a model composed of multiple nodes (public and private bodies), connected by uni- or multilateral relations, supported on regional institutional capital (particularly research centres, but also companies, technological centres, associations, hospitals, among others). This research focuses on the Porto Metropolitan Area. The aim is to understand what kind of knowledge is produced, who are the main actors and which relational, cognitive and geographic proximities stand out. Furthermore, we intend to identify which scientific areas are most active in relational terms and analyse the knowledge networks, so as to determine the pathways followed, some more directed at intelligent specialisation, while others are more directed at related variety. In methodological terms, we will analyse the networks from R&D projects funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology between 2007 and 2010. All the projects involving institutions located in the PMA (both as lead institution and partner) were identified and analysed, as well as their corresponding networks. These are publicly funded projects