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The effect of science and technology parks on a firm’s performance: a dynamic approach over time

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  • Isabel Diez-Vial

    (University of Zaragoza)

  • Marta Fernández-Olmos

    (University of Zaragoza)

Abstract

We argue that the benefits provided by locations inside science and technology parks evolve over time. Firms inside parks can improve performance due to certain advantages related to knowledge spillovers and shared resources that can be particularly useful in earlier stages of the industry life cycle. In these industries, local knowledge sharing is particularly useful because no standards are clearly established, as we have confirmed in a sample of 12,800 firms from the PITEC database, located either on- or off-park. We also find that young firms can benefit more from the park than more established businesses in terms of both business growth and innovative capacity. Although older firms have greater experience and investments that would increase their capacity to absorb external knowledge, their associated rigidities prevent them from incorporating changes into their structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel Diez-Vial & Marta Fernández-Olmos, 2017. "The effect of science and technology parks on a firm’s performance: a dynamic approach over time," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 413-434, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:27:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s00191-016-0481-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-016-0481-5
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    2. Bernal, Pilar & Carree, Martin & Lokshin, Boris, 2022. "Knowledge spillovers, R&D partnerships and innovation performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. 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).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Geographical concentration; Age; Industry life-cycle; Growth; Innovation; Science and technology parks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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