Science and technology parks as intermediaries in university-industry innovation systems: A systematic literature review

Science and Technology Parks (STPs) have become key organizational arrangements for strengthening university–industry collaboration within contemporary innovation systems. This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of research published between 2016 and 2025 to examine how STPs operate as intermediary structures and how their roles have evolved over time. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, peer-reviewed articles indexed in Web of Science and Scopus were analyzed using a descriptive mapping and thematic approach. The findings reveal a shift from a primary focus on technology transfer toward more complex ecosystem-oriented functions, with universities increasingly acting as entrepreneurial and coordinating actors. The review also identifies persistent challenges, including institutional misalignment, fragmented governance, and capacity constraints affecting collaboration outcomes. By providing a structured comparison of changes in Triple Helix roles and interaction logics, this study contributes to a more integrated understanding of STPs as evolving innovation intermediaries. The results offer practical implications for higher education institutions and policymakers seeking to enhance university–industry collaboration and innovation ecosystem development.