Social networks, university spin-offs growth and promises of 'living labs'

Soetanto, Danny and Geenhuizen, Marina S. van (2011) Social networks, university spin-offs growth and promises of 'living labs'. Regional Science Policy and Practice, 3 (3). pp. 305-321. ISSN 1757-7802

Abstract

Social networks play a vital role in the early years of spin-offs, but there is virtually no knowledge on the profile of these networks. Building on a resource-based perspective and the concept of ‘living labs’, we explore differences between spin-off firms according to level of innovativeness. The results indicate a smaller growth among highly innovative spin-offs as an impact of more homogeneous and more often locally oriented networks. This situation calls for opening the social networks. The paper speculates on how the new concept of living labs may be helpful in this strategy and what other advantages might be gained by spin-offs.