Title: From incubation to maturity inside parks: the evolution of local knowledge networks

Authors: Isabel Díez-Vial; Ángeles Montoro-Sánchez

Addresses: Departamento de Organización de Empresas, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain ' Departamento de Organización de Empresas, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: This paper analyses the effect of the evolution of local knowledge networks on the innovative capacity of firms co-located. Using a network dynamic approach, this paper argues that the length of time that firms spend in a science park affects their local knowledge network. By the identification of three stages of local development - incubation, growth and maturity - this study provides new insights about the role of science parks in both increasing their innovative capacity and promoting the exchange of knowledge among co-located firms. In this sense, science parks have been increasingly considered as a nurturing environment for business start-ups and lead to the development of growth-oriented firms, not being a consensus about how the length of time the firm spends in the park may affect these benefits.

Keywords: network dynamics; knowledge flows; relationship strengths; innovative capacity; firm co-location; residence time; science parks; social network analysis; SNA; trust; network centrality; incubation; firm growth; firm maturity; local knowledge networks; knowledge exchange.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2017.082360

International Journal of Technology Management, 2017 Vol.73 No.1/2/3, pp.132 - 150

Received: 23 Jul 2014
Accepted: 03 Mar 2015
Published online: 21 Feb 2017 *

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