Title: The impact of regional innovation systems on the level of corporate entrepreneurship activity

Authors: Jacques Baronet, Nathaly Riverin

Addresses: Institut d'entrepreneuriat, Universite de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Universite, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1K 2R1, Canada. ' Fondation de l'entrepreneurship, 400-240 St-Jacques, Montreal (Quebec) H2Y 1L9, Canada

Abstract: Among the many factors that can influence intrapreneurship or corporate entrepreneurship, the impact of regions and regional innovation systems has never been tested. This paper tries to fill this gap. Based on data from the 2005 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) for corporate entrepreneurship and the 2007 report on Quebec regional innovation systems providing data for 2002 to 2004, we study the corporate entrepreneurship levels in 16 regions of Quebec and establish that several aspects of the regional environment affect these levels. We observe that aspects of regional knowledge resulting from regional innovation systems have a positive impact on a region|s level of corporate entrepreneurship. Specifically, the regional innovation level – as represented by research and development investments and the acquisition of licences – positively impacts the levels of corporate entrepreneurship. In addition, access to extraregional innovation also indirectly impacts the levels of corporate entrepreneurship.

Keywords: corporate entrepreneurship; regional innovation; Global Entrepreneurship Monitor; regions; Quebec; Canada; regional knowledge; innovation levels; licenses; licensing; R&D; research and development; extra-regional innovation; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurs; intrapreneurship; intrapreneurs; intrapreneuriality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2010.033573

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2010 Vol.10 No.3, pp.359 - 385

Published online: 06 Jun 2010 *

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