How do smart specialization strategies influence university-industry collaboration in cross-border regions?

Abstract Recently, research on smart specialization strategies (RIS3) has significantly expanded, encompassing multiple nations and regions. However, despite these advances, a notable gap persists in the literature regarding the impact of RIS3 on university-industry (U-I) collaboration in cross-border regions. To address this gap, our study evaluates how the implementation of RIS3 affects U-I collaboration and compares the impact of these strategies on universities in two cross-border territories. Based on primary data collected through questionnaires administered to researchers at public universities in Portugal and Spain, we utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Our findings indicate that RIS3 does not exert a direct effect on U-I collaboration outcomes. Nevertheless, the study advances current knowledge by illustrating that the relationship between RIS3 and U-I collaboration is nuanced rather than binary. Additionally, the results provide evidence that RIS3 positively impacts knowledge transfer activities, particularly U-I interactions, through the mediating roles of academic research development and incentives for U-I collaboration.