The impact of networking on innovative performance of new biotechnology firms: a combined econometric and scientometric analysis.

This paper examines the impact of firm resources and network capabilities on innovative performance in a population of 117 biotech companies. After controlling for the traditional size and scope effects, the managerial focus of the firms' R&D activities and their collaboration activities with external partners (in majority universir-ties) become the central variables in ou study. A (unbalanced) panel nalysis of the firms over a twenty-year period shows the highly significant impact of research focus and networking activities on innovative performance.Biotechnology;

On the design of knowledge tranfer mechanism: applying the incomplete contracts model to developments in biotechnology.

This paper proposes a framework on how different mechanisms for knowledge transfer can be linked to the underlying technological life-cycle. Drawing on recent insights from the organizational economics literature, we analyze the design of knowledge transfer mechanisms and structures from an incentive point of view. The basic version of the incomplete contracts model (or property rights model) was adapted to include knowledge as an asset. Several empirical hypotheses can be derived from this model. They are contrasted with other theoretical approaches to model organizational growth and development, as we are specifically interested in the use of new ventures creation as a technology transfer mechanism. Using this framework as a starting point, a limited empirical test is two sub-fields of modern biotechnology : monoclonal antibodies and protein engineering. The results are interesting: the property rights model may add to current insights on spin-offs as a mechanism for knowledge transfer as well as to a better understanding of the incentive structures that influence an organization's decision to enter a technological collaboration with a university or another biotech firm.Model; Knowledge; Biotechnology;

Towards an ecological understanding of firm founding and growth in emergent populations.

Organizational ecology is a fast growing domain in organization theory. During the past few years, the theory has evolved from a collection of rather unrelated concepts towards an integrated model of failure and founding, which has been tested with advanced empirical techniques. Despite this increasing convergence within the ecological boundaries, little integration occurs with other intellectual streams which can either be considered as complementary to a density dependence model or as a challenge to the basic assumptions of this model. This paper presents both a review of the theoretical and empirical methods developed during the past five years and an assessment of future research opportunities : can institutional theory, strategic management and industrial economics enrich and stretch the boundaries of the ecological model?

Advanced bibliometric to model the relationship between entry behaviour and networking emerging technological communities.

Organisational ecology and social network theory are used to explain entries in technological communities. Using bibliometric data on 411 organisations in the field of plant biotechnology, we test several hypotheses that entry is not only influenced by the density of the field, but also by the structure of the R&D network within the community. The empirical findings point to the usefulness of bibliometric data in mapping change and evolution in technological communities as well as to the effects of networking on entry behaviour.Model;

Are they really helping? : an assessment of evolving business incubators'value proposition

Most studies about business incubation describe an array of available services but often fail to present the tenants’ assessment quality. We set out to investigate if business incubators differ in terms of their value proposition. To do so, we identify three distinct generations of business incubators based on different dimensions included in their value proposition. We pose the question of whether the generation affects the extent to which tenant companies use the different dimensions of the incubator’s value proposition. Using data collected within business incubators and their respective tenants, the results show that while incubators claim to have similar support structures regardless of their generation, tenants in the older generations make less use of the incubator’s service portfolio. We discuss the implications of our findings for incubator managers, prospective tenants and policy makers

Spinning off new ventures: a typology of facilitating services

This study analyses the spin-out activity in seven technology transfer units, which are considered to be successes in Europe: Crealys in France, the Top Initiative of the university of Twente in the Netherlands, Leuven R&D at the KUL in Belgium, Business Develop-ment at IMEC in Belgium, BioM in Germany (Munich area), Technology Transfer Partners (TTP) and Scientific Generics, both in Cam-bridge, UK. In each of these institutes, an in depth analysis is made of how they organise the following activities: (1) sensibilisation and Detection of opportunities, (2) management of IPR, (3) selection of spin-out projects, (4) incubation and business plan preparation, (5) financing of these spin-outs and finally (6) the follow-up of spin-outs after start-up. Based upon the analysis of these activities, three different models have been defined: a self selective model, a supportive model and a protective model. In the first model, the specific aim is to generate as many start-ups as possible. Stimulating general entrepreneurship rather than financially or economically attractive companies are thus the goal. This means that sensibilisation and opportunity seeking is the main activity. In the second model, the emphasis lies on creating economically attractive companies with a transitional starter profile. These companies might not yet have a financially attractive business plan but have the ambition to make one in the future. Usually they are based upon the IP generated in the mother institute. Management of IPR and business plan preparation are crucial activities in this model. Finally, the protective model focuses on the creation of financially attractive companies, which receive VC-money at start. In addition to the previous activities, also financing activities are of crucial importance here. In addition to analysing the activities developed in each of these models, also theresources necessary to organise these activities are examined. In the first model, the crucial resources seem to be an experienced entrepreneur as manager who can sensibilise students, researchers and professors to start up a company and public money to facilitate this start up. In the second model, a financially autonomous organisation is needed which is strongly supported by the top management of the university in its activities. This organisation needs to have a minimum critical mass of people specialised in legal issues, IPR and business plan development. In addition, a public-private early stage. Capital fund is needed to support the start-ups. Finally, the protective organisation needs a worldwide recognised leading research team in a particular technology. The tech transfer or business development unit needs to be able to incubate the organisation and facilitate the recruitment of external management, attraction of international early stage venture capital and the formation of the company's intellectual property base