Structure and activity of innovation centres: advantages and limits of the Italian experience

The main aim of this analysis has been the reorganization of the matter regarding innovation centres for firms in Italy, in relation to "who does what", mainly through an analysis of the characteristics of the services being offered, to determine the number of the organizations presently really operative on the national territory, their locations and field of action, real and institutional. This research has studied, among the innovation centres, only those organizations (private, partially state-controlled or totally state-controlled) belonging or not to industrial district, and offering technological services to firms. Limits and advantages of the Italian experience have been pointed out.