Title: The role of academic entrepreneur's experience in building networks

Authors: Pir Irfanullah Shah Rashdi, Qazi Moinuddin Abro, Arabella Bhutto

Addresses: Mehran University Institute of Science and Technology Development (MU-ISTD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh 76062, Pakistan. ' Mehran University Institute of Science and Technology Development (MU-ISTD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh 76062, Pakistan. ' Mehran University Institute of Science and Technology Development (MU-ISTD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh 76062, Pakistan

Abstract: This paper develops a theory relating to how academic entrepreneurs (AEs) with differing levels of venture experience build networks outside their academic arena to create and develop biotechnology spin-outs in the UK. It is argued that a lack of appropriate networks can significantly limit venture growth especially at an early stage of development. This area of research has gained significance within contemporary literature, because it remains unclear how AEs build networks outside their academic arena, e.g. research institutes, labs, etc., help to grow their nascent ventures. This paper examines types of AEs with different levels of entrepreneurship experience. Entrepreneurship experience is further explained by looking at prior founding experience. Using a participant observation qualitative research approach, each entrepreneur is examined retrospectively.

Keywords: academic entrepreneurs; technology transfer; network ties; university spin-outs; universities; higher education; networks; networking; venture experience; biotechnology; UK; United Kingdom; venture growth; research institutes; laboratories; nascent ventures; entrepreneurship; founding experience; prior experience; participant observation; qualitative research; business innovation; R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2011.038782

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2011 Vol.5 No.2, pp.212 - 228

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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