Providing a general framework about spin-off success factors in complex environments

Spin-off organisations are the main vehicle for knowledge transfer from universities and/or high educational institutions (HEIs) to the economic system. Spin-off firms are complex phenomenon which requires particular conditions to its creation, survival and development. In the last decade, the scientific debate recognised the importance and the role of spin-off organisations, but the main factors and actors that impact on their creation, survival and development are not always clear. This paper aims to fill this gap, shedding light on this black box. In a first step, this research will identify the main 'success factors' for creation of spin-offs. In the second step, the relationship between these variables and the spinoff will be theorised. The originality of this investigation lies in offering a systemic framework about main factors of the spin-off in complex environment, providing not only a theoretical contribution but also useful practical implications such as: highlighting the characteristics of the spin-off system, to formulate new policies for the growth of these organisations; to provide concrete information for the development of a research-innovation-enterprise system.