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Heterogeneous effects of spinoff foundations on the means of technology transfer: the role of past academic-industry collaborations

Author

Listed:
  • Lauretta Rubini

    (University of Ferrara
    c.MET05-National University Centre for Applied Economic Studies)

  • Chiara Pollio

    (University of Ferrara
    c.MET05-National University Centre for Applied Economic Studies)

  • Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta

    (c.MET05-National University Centre for Applied Economic Studies
    University of Naples “L’Orientale”)

  • Elisa Barbieri

    (c.MET05-National University Centre for Applied Economic Studies
    University of Venice “Ca’ Foscari”)

Abstract

Focusing on the Italian population of academic entrepreneurs, we analyze the effect of establishing a spinoff firm on researchers' attitudes towards carrying out other activities in collaboration with firms, namely, co-publishing and co-patenting. We investigate the heterogeneity in this effect in terms of existing collaborations with firms in the pre-spinoff period. Using a counterfactual analysis on subgroups, we verify that academic entrepreneurs with previous publications with firms diminish their co-publishing and increase their co-patenting after founding a spinoff. Conversely, academic entrepreneurs who had no previous publications with firms increase their co-publishing and decrease their co-patenting. We maintain that such results are related to academics' learning processes connected with their previous technology transfer activities. The policy implications are related to technology transfer aims and contradict the idea that promoting spinoffs is an appropriate "one-size-fits-all" initiative.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauretta Rubini & Chiara Pollio & Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta & Elisa Barbieri, 2021. "Heterogeneous effects of spinoff foundations on the means of technology transfer: the role of past academic-industry collaborations," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(1), pages 261-292, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolit:v:38:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s40888-021-00221-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s40888-021-00221-z
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    2. Ana Pacheco & João J. Ferreira & Jorge Simões, 2023. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions and Entrepreneurial Orientation in the Creation and Development of Academic Spinoffs," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(3), pages 495-524, November.
    3. Carla Mascarenhas & Carla Marques & João J. Ferreira & Anderson Galvão, 2022. "University-Industry Collaboration in a Cross-Border Iberian Regions," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 45(4), pages 444-471, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Spin-off; Academic entrepreneurship; Academic publications; University–industry links; Technology transfer; Heterogeneity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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