Title: Science park effects in Sweden: dimensions critical for firm growth

Authors: Peter Lindelof, Hans Lofsten

Addresses: Business School, The University of Nottingham, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 1BB, UK. ' Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Goteborg, Sweden

Abstract: A model to explain and predict relative performance among new technology-based firms is useful to government and regional authorities. In Sweden, science parks new technology-based firms stand out as a special group of small firms in terms of performance (growth: sales and employment). This paper proposes a model for analysing growth (resources and capabilities) to produce technological innovations and economic performance. Firm strategy is an important outcome of firm processes, and it has been shown to be critical for firm performance. For science park firms and entrepreneurship, the most important latent constructions were technological innovation, risk and proactiveness. However, the firms are in different stages. Three incubation stages were then developed. There is a need for a better understanding of the NTBF|s development process (and other processes: innovation processes, diffusion processes, etc.) before making an approach as to whether the incubation function can be made more effective.

Keywords: science parks; incubation; firm growth; NTBF; new technology-based firms; entrepreneurship; strategy; public policy; Sweden; technological innovation; economic performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2006.010849

International Journal of Public Policy, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.451 - 475

Published online: 06 Sep 2006 *

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