Research Group on The Sociology of Innovation

The research group on the sociology of innovation studies the social conditions that contribute to innovative societies both in economic and social terms. It focuses on the elements of social and cultural structure that shape innovation systems and their effects in knowledge generation, knowledge transfer and diffusion of innovation in firms, public administrations and non-governmental institutions. The main topics studied are knowledge transfer in universities and research centers, socioeconomic impact of research, human resources, innovation in SMEs, societal behaviors related to innovation and governance. The activities of the group are oriented to combine state-of-the-art knowledge, applied research and consultancy for institutions and firms wishing to enhance their innovation processes and interventions in different domains of innovation systems, especially knowledge management and governance aimed at regional and local development.