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Academic-industry linkages and small firm innovation: evidence from the scientific instruments sector

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  • Alan D. MacPherson

Abstract

This paper explores the role of academic linkages in the product development efforts of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMFs). Data from a sample of 204 SMFs in New York State's scientific instruments sector suggest that university research units can play a helpful role in small firm innovation. Knowledge spillovers from the academic sector are shown to be geographically localized. A key finding is that the intensity of academic-SMF interaction varies inversely with the time-distance that separates firms from major campuses. A related finding is that innovation rates are higher among SMFs that enjoy close proximity to academic resources. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the role of micro-geographical factors in regional knowledge diffusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan D. MacPherson, 1998. "Academic-industry linkages and small firm innovation: evidence from the scientific instruments sector," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(4), pages 261-276, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:10:y:1998:i:4:p:261-276
    DOI: 10.1080/08985629800000015
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mohammad Daradkeh, 2023. "Exploring the Curvilinear Relationship between Academic-Industry Collaboration Environment and Innovation Performance: A Multilevel Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. David Audretsch & Erik Lehmann, 2006. "Do locational spillovers pay? empirical evidence from German IPO data," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 71-81.
    4. Justin Doran & Declan Jordan & Eoin O’Leary, 2012. "The effects of the frequency of spatially proximate and distant interaction on innovation by Irish SMEs," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(7-8), pages 705-727, September.
    5. Audretsch, David & Lehmann, Erik E & Warning, Susanne, 2003. "University Spillovers: Strategic Location and New Firm Performance," CEPR Discussion Papers 3837, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Todd Davey & Sue Rossano & Peter Sijde, 2016. "Does context matter in academic entrepreneurship? The role of barriers and drivers in the regional and national context," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(6), pages 1457-1482, December.
    7. Ming Chu Leung & John A. Mathews, 2011. "Origins and dynamics of university spin-offs: the case of Hong Kong," International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(2), pages 175-201.
    8. Sunyoung Park, 2019. "Identification of Overall Innovation Behavior by Using a Decision Tree: The Case of a Korean Manufacturer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-54, November.
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    10. Claudia Werker & Christian Hopp, 2020. "Balancing act between research and application: how research orientation and networks affect scholars’ academic and commercial output," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(8), pages 1171-1197, September.

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