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Connectivity and Performance of Science-based Firms

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  • Annika Rickne

Abstract

This paper addresses whether or not there is a relationship between a young science-based firm’s patterns of connections and the associated resource flows, and its performance. Hypotheses derived from the literature are tested in relation to three performance indicators: inventiveness, innovativeness and employment. Analyzing a set of firms in Sweden, Ohio and Massachusetts, working with biocompatible materials and related products, the results indicate that firm performance is significantly influenced by the firms’ pattern of connectivity. In particular, technology-related connections proved important, where a high diversity in types of sources for technological input, a large number of technological relations and a high amount of technology transfer from the parent organization were related to better performance for this specific group of firms. Copyright Springer 2006

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  • Annika Rickne, 2006. "Connectivity and Performance of Science-based Firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 393-407, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:26:y:2006:i:4:p:393-407
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-005-4848-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Pippel, Gunnar, 2012. "The Impact of R&D Collaboration Networks on the Performance of Firms and Regions: A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence," IWH Discussion Papers 14/2012, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    2. Boine Kim & Byoung-Goo Kim, 2023. "An Explorative Study of Resilience Influence on Business Performance of Korean Manufacturing Venture Enterprise," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Paulo Nunes & Zélia Serrasqueiro & João Leitão, 2013. "Assessing the nonlinear nature of the effects of R&D intensity on growth of SMEs: a dynamic panel data approach," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 97-128, January.
    4. Jihye Jeong & Juhee Kim & Hanei Son & Dae-il Nam, 2020. "The Role of Venture Capital Investment in Startups’ Sustainable Growth and Performance: Focusing on Absorptive Capacity and Venture Capitalists’ Reputation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Jue Wang & Philip Shapira, 2012. "Partnering with universities: a good choice for nanotechnology start-up firms?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 38(2), pages 197-215, February.
    6. Paulo Nunes & Marco Gonçalves & Zélia Serrasqueiro, 2013. "The influence of age on SMEs’ growth determinants: empirical evidence," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 249-272, February.
    7. Schebesch Klaus Bruno, 2011. "Business Incubators And Sustainable Innovation," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 779-785, July.
    8. Paulo Maçãs Nunes & Zélia Silva Serrasqueiro & João Leitão, 2008. "Are there nonlinear relationships between the profitability of Portuguese service SME and its specific determinants?," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(8), pages 1313-1341, August.
    9. Nunes, Paulo Maçãs & Serrasqueiro, Zélia & Leitão, João, 2012. "Is there a linear relationship between R&D intensity and growth? Empirical evidence of non-high-tech vs. high-tech SMEs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 36-53.
    10. Robert Huggins & Andrew Johnston & Rebecca Steffenson, 2008. "Universities, knowledge networks and regional policy," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 1(2), pages 321-340.
    11. Zizah Che Senik & Brenda Scott-Ladd & Lanny Entrekin & Khairul Adham, 2011. "Networking and internationalization of SMEs in emerging economies," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 9(4), pages 259-281, December.
    12. Zélia Serrasqueiro & Paulo Maçãs Nunes, 2008. "Performance and size: empirical evidence from Portuguese SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 195-217, August.
    13. Sumi Jha & Vidya Venkatesh, 2023. "Entrepreneurial Satisfaction for Women Micro-entrepreneurs: A Network Perspective," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

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