Impact of structural funds for innovation on business innovation: Analysis using indicators from the companies participating in the erdf-innterconecta programme in Galicia

Abstract

We carried out an evaluation of the impact of the ERDF-Innterconecta programme (developed within the framework of the Technology Fund 2007-2013) on the main indicators of business innovation in Galicia. Among the different lines of action designed, we focused our analysis on the first two rounds of the Galician ERDF-Interconnecta programme belonging to this “Operational Programme for the benefit of business R&D&i”, the implementation period of which covers up to 2015. The proposed analysis tries to identify the repercussion of the participation in this programme based on the main available microeconomic indicators (projects, perceived funds, evolution of Research & Development expenditure, innovation, patents, collaboration networks, invoicing, etc.). This impact is broken down using companies´ productive sectors. The results show an unequal impact depending on the business characteristics and show a significant amount of resources managed by companies located in other territories. These results will also make it possible to formulate recommendations for the future implementation of Research, Development & Innovation policies.