The main objective of this research is to analyze the impact of business incubatorson the survival of their associated firms. Using a configurational comparative method, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA), it also examines whether the degree of business innovation, size, sector of activity and export activity affect firm survival. One of the most notable conclusions from this analysis is that the survival of a firm is related with at least some of the following characteristics: the firm must be technology-based, its productive focus is on goods (rather than on services), or that it is located within the specific environment of A business incubator.

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Firms aspire to take advantage of technical and business networks through interorganizational interactions in order to improve performance. Consequently, researchers are increasingly attracted by the dynamics and implications of network formation at both local and global levels.From another perspective, authors have abandoned a monotonic effect and simplistic approach to proximity, as it emerges as a complex and multidimensional notion.Using data from a foodstuffs cluster located in the Valencia region (Spain) and advanced econometric methods, this paper aims to shed light on the detrimental effects and complementarities that may arise among the proximity dimensions. After controlling for network endogenous forces and firm characteristics, our findings reveal the effect of proximity dimensions on the creation of linkages in advanced stages of the cluster life cycle, in addition to the interactions among them.

PhD graduates hold the highest education degree, are trained to conduct research and can be considered a key element in the creation, commercialization and diffusion of innovations. The impact of PhDs on innovation and economic development takes place through several channels such as the accumulation of scientific capital stock, the enhancement of technology transfers and the promotion of cooperation relationships in innovation processes. Although the placement of PhDs in industry provides a very important mechanism for transmitting knowledge from universities to firms, information about the characteristics of the firms that employ PhDs is very scarce. The goal of this paper is to improve understanding of the determinants of the demand for PhDs in the private sector. Three main potential determinants of the demand for PhDs are considered: cooperation between firms and universities, R&D activities of firms and several characteristics of firms, size, sector, productivity and age. The results from the econometric analysis show that cooperation between firms and universities encourages firms to recruit PhDs and point to the existence of accumulative effects in the hiring of PhD graduates.

This article aims to estimate the contribution of KIBS to the innovation system. Data on innovation gathered from national and European databases are analyzed using a methodology based on an input-output framework to estimate the drive for innovation in the Spanish economy and the contribution of KIBS. KIBS are found to be crucial to both the creation and diffusion of innovation. From among the four classifications of sectors analyzed herein, KIBS is found to be the only significant net generator of innovation.

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Purpose Given the unresolved question about which causal conditions contribute to accelerated internationalization among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from weak institutional environment, this paper aims to combine theoretically relevant antecedents of domestic networks relationships (weak or strong domestic ties) and decision-making logic (effectuation or causation) to explore the configurations that are the most promising for explaining accelerated internationalization. Design/methodology/approach This study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the accelerated internationalization of 33 contrarian cases of SMEs located in weak institutional environment. The data set has been collected through in-depth interviews with managers in Colombia (21 cases) and Peru (12 cases). Building on the findings, an integrative model for accelerated internationalization is presented. Findings The authors found that the combination of weak domestic ties and effectuation logic accelerated the internationalization of SMEs with fewer resource constraints. In contrast, strong domestic ties and causation behavior lead to accelerated internationalization of SMEs with greater resource constraints. They propose a model to help enrich the existing literature about the causal configurations for achieving accelerated internationalization in SMEs from weak institutional environment. Originality/value The contribution of this study is to provide empirical evidence to address three shortcomings in the literature. First, the mixed results regarding the impact of strong and weak domestic ties and decision-making logic in the accelerated internationalization of SMEs; second, the limited research on domestic networks; and third, the scarce investigation in weak institutional environment, where the emphasis on constrained resources is higher.

Business services, Innovation, Small- and medium-sized enterprises, Technology Centres, R&D policy,