Research-based spin-offs as agents of knowledge dissemination: Evidence from the analysis of innovation networks

The paper addresses the role played by research-based spin-offs (RBSOs) as knowledge dissemination mechanisms, through their position in knowledge networks. For this purpose the paper analyses the formal networks established by Portuguese RBSOs, in the context of publicly funded research, technology and precommercial product development projects, and investigates their configuration along two levels. At organisational level, in order to understand whether RBSOs extend their reach beyond the academic sphere; and if they do, whether they connect to organisations located downstream in the knowledge value chain, and which is their position in networks involving both research organisations and other firms. At spatial level, in order to understand whether RBSOs extend their reach beyond the region where they are created, thus potentially acting as connectors between diverse regions. The analysis starts from the population of RBSOs created in Portugal until 2007 (327 firms) and identifies those that have established formal technological relationships, as part of projects funded by all the relevant programmes launched in the period 1993-2012. As a result, the analysis encompasses 192 collaborative projects and involves 82 spin-offs and 281 partners, of which only 20% are research organisations, the remaining being other firms and a variety of other downstream organisations. The results, although still preliminary, provide some insights into the knowledge networking behaviour of the RBSOs. As expected, research organisations are a central actor in spin-offs’ networks, being the sole partner for some of them. But half of the RBSOs have moved beyond the academic sphere, being frequently a central element in tripartite technological relationships between research and other organisations, and occupying an intermediation position in the network, thus potentially acting as facilitators in knowledge circulation and transformation. Also as expected, RBSOs are predominantly located in the main metropolitan areas and tend to relate with organisations similarly located. But while geographical proximity emerges as important in the choice of partners, in about half of the cases, RBSOs knowledge networks have extended beyond regional boundaries. Given their central position in the network, this suggests a role as connectors across regions that will be explored in subsequent research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Research-based spin-offs targeting the market for technologies: a conceptual model

DINÂMIA, Dezembro de 2009.This paper addresses the commercialisation decisions of research-based spin-off firms, focusing on the case of companies specialising in the production and sale of intellectual property - a model of entrepreneurial behaviour increasingly frequent in science-based fields, and that research-based spin-offs may be more prone to adopt given their specific characteristics. Combining insights from the economics of technological change and the strategic management of technology literature, we discuss the conditions that influence spin-offs ability to pursue with this strategy, and advance some theory-driven hypothesis regarding key factors that are likely to determine their choice - nature of knowledge, appropriability conditions, location and degree of control upon complementary assets and institutional setting of origin - and their impact upon firms’ decisions. We add to the still incipient research on this model of behaviour, as well as to recent research on the determinants of the commercialisation strategy of small technologyintensive firms.FC

Inter-industrial relationships driving the blue economy industrial transformation

The “Blue Economy” is considered one of the drivers of European growth, based on the development of new competences and activities that enable a sustainable exploitation of ocean resources (EC, 2021; Howard, 2018). Strategies and policies were formulated, both at the UE and national levels, to address “Blue growth”, combining industrial growth objectives with sustainability concerns. These strategies have targeted a broad variety of actors engaged in ocean-related activities, namely companies from established and new industries, and have promoted the development of new transversal technologies through the support of research and innovation (Sousa et al, 2020; EC, 2012).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Entry by research-based spin-offs: the determinants of regional variation

Reflecting the increasing number of research based spin-offs (RBSOs) created since the nineties, previous studies focus their analysis on the factors that influence university entrepreneurship. However, empirical studies that investigate the determinants of variation on RBSO creation across regions are scarce. Using a unique self-collected dataset that comprehends the population of RBSOs created in Portugal from 1979 until to 2007 we investigate the intensity of spin-offs creation across regions, by focusing on the characteristics of the universities and the region in which the spin-off is located. Our results suggest that the quality and prestige of the universities located in a municipality, as well as the presence of university-affiliated incubators and/or university research parks have a positive impact on the intensity of RBSO creation. Regarding the regional characteristics, the availability of qualified human capital and the regional demand size seem to exert an important effect on spin-off activity across regions.FC

Searching for olive mill waste water (OMWW) solutions: is there a potential on microalgae treatment?

Olive Mill Waste Water (OMWW) is the principal industry extraction residue of olive oil and still one of the most serious environmental problems [1]. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability growth of Chlorella vulgaris under different OMWW concentrations and assess its phenolic content variations to get OMWW toxicity reduction

Potential of plant products as protectants of stored maize against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

Laboratory studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of some formulations from Mentha pulegium, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Daphne gnidium, Laurus nobilis, Momordica charantia, Nerium oleander and Ptaeroxylon obliquum as protectants against adult insects of Sitophilus zeamais on stored maize. The dusts from leaves of L. nobilis at 30% w/w caused 86% mortality and reduced F1 progeny emergence up to 57%. At the same concentration, dusts of pink flowers from N. oleander and leaves from L. sericeus reduced the F1 progeny up to 68% and 70%, reduced the developmental index and prolonged the developmental period by 4 and 6 d, respectively. The suspensions (2% v/v) from M. charantia, N. oleander and P. obliquum reduced the F1 progeny emergence up to 58, 91 and 94% and the number of holes in grains by 75, 91 and 97%, respectively. The methanol extracts were more effective than n-hexane extracts and affected the F1 progeny emergence and the developmental index. Keywords: Sitophilus zeamais, Botanical insecticides, Repellence, Insect control agents