Knowledge Sharing Benefits Among Companies in Science and Technology Parks: A Cross-Country Analysis.

Knowledge sharing is considered the most important process in knowledge management. The sharing of interorganizational knowledge in the context of Science and Technology Parks (STPs) has been scarcely explored in the literature. STPs stand out as environments in which the installed companies can access resources from an associated university, thus facilitating innovation. In such contexts knowledge sharing can be favored not only due to geographical proximity, but also by the actions adopted by the management of the STP. This article aims to analyze the benefits expected by managers of companies located in STPs when sharing knowledge with other companies in the STP. The method adopted was exploratory, and 16 company managers, and 2 STP managers in Brazil and 16 companies and 2 STP managers in Spain were interviewed. The obtained data were subjected to content analysis. The results show company managers in Brazil expect reciprocity and new business opportunities, while company managers in Spain hope to solve specific problems. This difference between countries can be explained in cultural terms, according to Hofstede's (2018) dimensions. The company managers' expectations are in line with those of the STP managers in each country. The research results will be of use to park managers by: a) showing the expectations of company managers and thus enabling STPs to help meet those expectations; b) identifying differences between the expectations of company managers in both countries, and problems that may arise when setting up companies from other countries in STPs. The research will help allow company managers to identify the benefits expected by other managers with whom they may share knowledge, because the existence of different expectations can lead to problems. In academic terms, this research contributes by analyzing the benefits expected from interorganizational knowledge sharing in the context of companies in STPs, as well as showing the differences between two countries (Brazil and Spain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]