Exploring the role of research and innovation institutions in regional digital development: The experience of Lazio Region

Developing a strong and vibrant economic base is one of the European Union priorities for 2019-2024. According to European policymakers, research and innovation activities have a direct impact on the level of prosperity and well-being of European society. EU regional policy is among other issues concentrated on the support of the development of SMEs and strengthening regional research and innovation activities. EU Smart specialisation strategy (S3) prioritizes research and innovation investment as a tool for the development of the European regions. Italy is an industrial country; its manufacturing companies represent the engine of economic growth and development, with their ability to produce wealth and job opportunities. Starting from the structure of the Italian economy characterized by widespread entrepreneurship, creating a favorable environment for businesses therefore responds to a specific public interest. For this reason, industrial policy is back at the core of the government's agenda. Knowing how to take up this challenge, however, not only concerns the government, but mainly entrepreneurs, to whom the new development and digitalization plans are providing agile and flexible tools to grow, innovate and acquire competitiveness. The development of collaborations between research and development institutions and SMEs is one of the measures to achieve these goals. By concentrating on the representative Lazio Region case, this study seeks to understand the contribution of the joint work of these platforms to the regional development and local entrepreneurial competitiveness through an in-depth analysis of strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities of the ongoing smart specialization and digital transformation strategies.