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A Place for R&D? The Singapore Science Park

Author

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  • Su-Ann Mae Phillips

    (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, 460 Alexandra Road, PSA Building, No. 18-00, Singapore 119963. Su-Ann_Mae_Phillips@mpa.gov.sg)

  • Henry Wai-chung Yeung

    (Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore 117570. geoywc@nus.edu. sg)

Abstract

In the context of the globalisation of R&D activities, many urban and regional economies have attempted to create specific places in the hope of developing and embedding these activities. In this paper, it is argued that it is insufficient for such places to provide just physical infrastructure and investment benefits. Understanding actor-specific strategies and their enrolment in innovation networks and enabling institutional pre-conditions are equally important in embedding R&D activities. Based on a study of one such place-the Singapore Science Park-this paper explores the realities of science park formation. It is found that adequate institutional thickness and local embeddedness apply only to a small number of R&D firms in the Park. The paper also examines the myth that spatial proximity to R&D institutions and organisations automatically results in collaborative R&D efforts. The study shows that, for science parks to be more than a form of glorified property development, there is an urgent need for a fundamental transformation in the prevailing thinking of economic planning, R&D policies and urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Su-Ann Mae Phillips & Henry Wai-chung Yeung, 2003. "A Place for R&D? The Singapore Science Park," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(4), pages 707-732, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:40:y:2003:i:4:p:707-732
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098032000065263
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    1. Maroto Sánchez, Andrés & Rubalcaba Bermejo, Luis & Gallego Martinez, Jorge, 2016. "On the role of publicly funded R&D for public sector performance," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2016/02, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
    2. Alexandre Almeida & Cristina Santos & Mário Rui Silva, 2008. "Bridging Science to Economy: The Role of Science and Technologic Parks in Innovation Strategies in “Follower” Regions," FEP Working Papers 302, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    3. Albahari, Alberto & Pérez-Canto, Salvador & Barge-Gil, Andrés & Modrego, Aurelia, 2017. "Technology Parks versus Science Parks: Does the university make the difference?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 13-28.
    4. Fangfang Cheng & Frank van Oort & Stan Geertman & Pieter Hooimeijer, 2014. "Science Parks and the Co-location of High-tech Small- and Medium-sized Firms in China’s Shenzhen," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(5), pages 1073-1089, April.
    5. Alberto Albahari & Andrés Barge-Gil & Salvador Pérez-Canto & Paolo Landoni, 2023. "The effect of science and technology parks on tenant firms: a literature review," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 1489-1531, August.
    6. Laspia, Alessandro & Sansone, Giuliano & Landoni, Paolo & Racanelli, Domenico & Bartezzaghi, Emilio, 2021. "The organization of innovation services in science and technology parks: Evidence from a multi-case study analysis in Europe," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    7. Marina van Geenhuizen & Danny P. Soetanto & Victor Scholten, 2012. "Science Parks: Changing Roles and Changing Approaches in their Evaluation," Chapters, in: Marina van Geenhuizen & Peter Nijkamp (ed.), Creative Knowledge Cities, chapter 6, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Lecluyse, Laura & Knockaert, Mirjam, 2020. "Disentangling satisfaction of tenants on science parks: A multiple case study in Belgium," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    9. Koh, Francis C. C. & Koh, Winston T. H. & Tschang, Feichin Ted, 2005. "An analytical framework for science parks and technology districts with an application to Singapore," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 217-239, March.
    10. Laura Lecluyse & Mirjam Knockaert & André Spithoven, 2019. "The contribution of science parks: a literature review and future research agenda," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 559-595, April.

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