Public procurement for knowledge transfer in peripheral regions: evidence from a case study in Spain

This article analyzes the first experience in Spain of pre-commercial public procurement (PCP) applied to knowledge transfer. The evidence shows that, beyond the good results obtained in terms of innovative prototypes, this type of instrument has characteristics that potentially could boost deep changes in the innovation system. Particularly, the change of role in the public research organization (CSlC), from having functions for production of I+D to decision making capacity in the allocation of funds and monitoring the development of innovations, positively transforms the relational ecosystem. The results we present show a greater effectiveness of the PCP compared to other instruments for knowledge transfer that have been more settled over time.