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While the literature has extensively investigated applications of the hub and spoke (H&S) model, its characteristics, dynamics, effectiveness and costs remain little explored in the field of university-industry partnerships for knowledge transfer in innovation ecosystems (IEs). This study contributes to the literature on the organisation of relationships in innovation ecosystems by investigating whether and how the H&S model matters in governing partnerships for knowledge transfer. To do so, a multiple case study was conducted to examine the 11 national IEs funded by the Italian government under the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in the period 2022–2026. The ecosystems operate across 20 regions, with 11 hubs and 84 spokes involving more than 40 universities and over 200 research organisations and firms. The findings, based on secondary data, two questionnaires and in-depth interviews of individuals involved in H&S governance, reveal that a top-down approach was adopted since the government required for the first time, on a mandatory basis, the creation of ecosystems using the H&S model. The IEs have improved collaboration between universities and firms. Challenges and good practices are discussed. The article identifies three forms of application of the H&S model, depending on the geographical span of the relations between actors: urban, regional and cross-regional ecosystems. Based on the level of coordination among ecosystem actors, three types of solutions to organise knowledge transfer are conceptualised: centralised, decentralised and hybrid models. Implications are suggested to ameliorate university governance and to inform the design of policies for university-industry engagement.
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