The authors investigate the contribution of different inputs, particularly different knowledge sources, on regional patenting output in the framework of a knowledge production function. One main finding is that the quality of the university research makes some contribution to regional innovation while the mere size of the universities is unimportant.
Link
http://econpapers.repec.org/scripts/redir.pl?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ersa.org%2Fersaconfs%2Fersa05%2Fpapers%2F623.pdf;h=repec:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa05p623