Explaining Mixed Results on Science Parks Performance: Bright and Dark Sides of the Effects of Inter-Organisational Knowledge Transfer Relationships

Abstract

In the recent past, several researchers explored the added-values of Science Parks. On the basis of empirical research, some questioned the assumed benefits of the science park model, whereas others reported positive outcomes. As a result, mixed findings regarding the benefits of science parks for firms can be observed. These mixed empirical findings require a theoretical explanation. This paper argues that different levels and types of knowledge exchange behaviour of science park firms could be one of the theoretical explanations for these mixed findings. The literature on networks mainly stresses the benefits of networking in general, and networking between firms located on science parks in particular. This paper proposes that networks can have both positive (knowledge sharing) and negative effects (opportunistic behavior and knowledge spillovers) for firms located on science parks. When the latter occurs, location on a science park might produce negative effects. A conceptual model is developed that summarises our theoretical arguments. OPSOMMINGVerskeie navorsers het in die onlangse verlede die waardetoevoeging van Wetenskapparke ondersoek. Empiriese navorsingsresultate dui enersyds daarop dat die voordele van Wetenskapparke bevraagteken moet word, maar andersyds dat daar positiewe uitkomste ook is. Dit is dus nodig dat hierdie teenstrydige resultate verder ondersoek en teoretiese verklarings daarvoor gevind moet word. In hierdie artikel word geargumenteer dat verskillende vlakke en tipes kennisuitruil gedragspatrone van firmas wat in Wetenskapparke gestasioneer is, een van die teoretiese verklarings vir bogenoemde teenstrydige bevindings is. Die algemene literatuur oor netwerke lê hoofsaaklik klem op die algemene voordele van netwerking tussen firmas binne Wetenskapparke. Hierdie artikel argumenteer dat netwerke beide positiewe (kennisdeling) en negatiewe (opportunistiese gedrag en kennisoorspoeling) effekte vir firmas binne Wetenskapparke kan inhou.

The relationship between favorable conditions for innovation in technology parks, the innovation produced, and companies’ performance

“…According to PMs, and supported by CMs, participation in events promoted by the park provides companies with access to new forms of commercialization and new clients and/or suppliers, thus allowing them to achieve better performance from a market perspective. According to PMs and CMs, these performance increments arising from innovation are frequently not perceived through the short-term financial perspective of these companies (Chan et al , 2009; Gkypali et al , 2016).…”

The Ann Arbor SPARK - Network Intelligence as a driver for the emergence of a next generation science and technology park

“…In another analysis, STPs are recognised as key instruments in the networking system of innovation and with the capacity of increasing the innovation output (Basile 2011). From a different perspective, networks allow for knowledge sharing between companies and participating agents, but by contrast, opportunistic strategies are detected in other companies that do not necessarily create value for the community (Chan, Oerlemans and Pretorius 2009).…”