Measuring Innovation in EU Research Infrastructures through Public–Private Co-Publications: Evidence from ACTRIS

Against the backdrop of the European Union’s (EU) initiative consistent with the establishment of so-called Research Infrastructures (RI), by focusing on the case of Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS), this paper examines how public–private partnerships (PPPs) contribute to innovation and research excellence. Through the lens of ACTRIS’ main output, i.e. publications, effectively public–private co-publications (PPCs), the objective is to explore to what extent European RIs contribute not only to research excellence, but most importantly to an uptake of research findings by the private sector. The analysis of 176 PPCs, drawn from peer-reviewed literature indexed in Web of Science (WoS), suggests that PPCs show higher citation impact, stronger international co-authorship, and greater thematic alignment with applied research, as compared to general scientific publication. However, the analysis also shows a temporal gap between academic advancements and their industrial uptake, consistent with knowledge transfer dynamics. PPCs represent useful indicators of knowledge transfer and innovation. Still, additional indicators, such as co-patents, joint research and development (R&D) projects, and informal collaboration networks, represent additional indicators necessary to offer a comprehensive insight into the RIs’ innovation potential.