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Leveraging accelerator spaces to foster knowledge communities

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  • Caccamo, Marta
  • Beckman, Sara

Abstract

Knowledge communities are critical for spurring innovation. For knowledge communities to develop and thrive, appropriate choices must be made around their geographic locations, as well as their physical and digital infrastructure. This paper explores the role of the materiality of boundary spaces, specifically geography and physical/digital infrastructure, in knowledge communities using startup accelerators as an empirical context through which to examine their development and structure. Based on a multi-case study of seventeen accelerators in the San Francisco Bay Area, we shed light on how to leverage boundary space design to foster knowledge communities. Using the construct of knowledge communities, we identify three accelerator archetypes – (1) knowledge spoke hubs, (2) knowledge centers, and (3) knowledge networks – and describe the distinct roles that boundary space design plays in each. The discovery of these archetypes and the associated boundary space design considerations inform a discussion about the implications for both the knowledge community and startup accelerator literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Caccamo, Marta & Beckman, Sara, 2022. "Leveraging accelerator spaces to foster knowledge communities," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:113:y:2022:i:c:s0166497221002029
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102421
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