A bridge over troubled waters: Bridging organisations and entrepreneurial opportunities in emerging sectors

Sapsed, Jonathan; Grantham, Andrew; DeFillippi, Robert

doi:10.1016/j.respol.2007.05.003

Cited by 115 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This would include picturing the mediator activity itself and the precise actions of the spinoffs, finding valid indicators for structuring processes of collective learning and network change, like suggested some years ago for biotechnology (Shan et al 1994;Rothaermel 2001). Measuring activities and impacts of any intermediary organization in a systematic way, however, remains a challenge as many of them work mainly indirectly and not always on purpose (Howells, 2006;Sapsed et al, 2007;Suvinen et al 2015). Indeed, there is a whole research field ahead of us.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hidden mediator roles of university spin-offs in Triple Helix networks

Geenhuizen

Taheri

2016

Triple Helix

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University spin-off firms contribute to bringing knowledge created at university to market. The networks these firms employ with other Triple Helix actors serve as not only getting access to resources but also shaping processes of collective learning in transforming the knowledge most adequately. In addition, spin-offs may affect the networks and behavior of network participants. While the first role has received large attention, collective learning and transforming networks and network partners have not. The paper addresses a key requirement in this setting, namely diversity in networks. We use a database of 105 young university spin-off firms and measure the socio-economic networks. A share of around 25 to 35 % of the firms tends to have an important potential mediator role, as they employ three to five different partners, connect with large firms as well as governments (outside the university), and have inserted a majority of strangers (outsiders) in their network. In the next step, to better understand partner diversity, we assess a simplified model. The level of innovativeness is found to be an important driver of diversity, with pre-start working experience (domains) and multidisciplinary education as important enabling factors. In exploring actual mediator roles using two case studies, we observe that Triple Helix actors are most diverse and tightly connected in testing activities in practice (pilots) enabling transformation of networks and network partners. The paper concludes with a summary, policy relevance, and future research paths. van Geenhuizen et al. Triple Helix (2016) 3:5 DOI 10.1186 Resumen Empresas spin-off universitarias contribuyen a llevar el conocimiento creado de la universidad al mercado. Las redes de estas empresas emplean con otros actores de la Triple Hélice no sólo sirven para obtener acceso a recursos, sino también para dar forma a procesos de aprendizaje colectivo. Además, empresas spin-off pueden afectar a las redes y el comportamiento de los participantes de la red. Sin embargo, el aprendizaje colectivo, la transformación de las redes, y la conformación de socios y su comportamiento, no han recibido mucha atención en la literatura. Este artículo aborda un requisito clave en este contexto; a saber, la diversidad en las redes. Utilizamos una base de datos de 105 empresas spin-off jóvenes y analizamos la composición socioeconómica de sus redes. Una proporción del 25 al 35 por ciento de las firmas tienen un importante papel potencial mediador, ya que emplean de tres a cinco socios, se conectan con empresas grandes, y con gobiernos (fuera de la universidad) y además permiten agentes foráneos en su red. Para entender mejor la diversidad de socios, evaluamos un modelo simplificado. El nivel de innovación resulta ser un motor importante de la diversidad, con el trabajo previo al inicio de la experiencia (dominios) y la educación multidisciplinar como factores de apoyo importantes. En la exploración de las funciones mediadoras reales, observamos que los actores de la Triple Héli...

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confidence: 99%

Hidden mediator roles of university spin-offs in Triple Helix networks

Geenhuizen

Taheri

2016

Triple Helix

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“…a physical object that provides a causeway over a ravine, a canyon or a river (Sapsed et al, 2007). The metaphor of a bridge evokes at least three elements: an obstacle or gap that renders communication or exchange difficult or even impossible; two or more sides that are separated by this obstacle; and a deliberate intervention designed to overcome the separation between the different sides.…”

Section: Bridging Organisations and Urban Regeneration 21 Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stuck in the middle with you: The role of bridging organisations in urban regeneration

Kampelmann¹,

Hollebeke

Vandergert

2016

Ecological Economics

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The literature on the governance of social-ecological systems increasingly recognizes a key role of bridging organisations (BOs) in transition processes towards sustainability. BOs can be defined as facilitators who allow for interorganisational collaboration. Our paper provides a more nuanced understanding of specific BO activities and their contributions towards urban sustainability. Our analysis is based on applying three complementary methodological angles (drawing on geolocalised data, interviews and action research) to 20 years of urban renovation investments in the city-region of Brussels. We distinguish between multi-scale, multi-actor and multi-dimensional tensions in urban renovation programmes and link these tensions to bridging challenges for BOs. Results suggest that the corresponding three types of bridging roles form a trilemma rather than a trilogy: the BOs in study have mediated one tension by de facto exacerbating another. Lessons from action research suggest that a wider use of temporality and shared language to communicate about urban renovation projects could attenuate the bridging trilemma.

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“…The variation in technology intermediaries is large, but they have one common denominator as they are targeted to particular structural shortcomings in the innovation systems (Sapsed et al, 2007). In the case of science parks their function is targeted to facilitate the technology transfer from university environments to the business sector.…”

Section: Public Research Organisationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology transfer as a driver for location of R&D active firms on science parks

Spithoven

2015

IJIRD

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Abstract:In a knowledge-based economy R&D activities are central. Since knowledge is more distributed, the need for networking between agents becomes essential. In innovation systems, all actors interact to source external knowledge, posing new challenges to science parks' missions. Networking leads to a new interpretation of the supporting role of science parks. Networking activities are largely localised and create hotspots for innovative activities. Science parks are among the most tangible strategic projects in science policy. This paper sheds light on the extent to which science parks help to favour technology transfer. Using firm level data, the role of science parks is screened. Especially high tech service companies are located on science parks, as are firms that deploy activities that are information intensive and science based. On-park firms refer to a larger extent to technology transfer linked drivers for their location, compared to off-park firms.

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A bridge over troubled waters: Bridging organisations and entrepreneurial opportunities in emerging sectors

Cited by 115 publications

References 25 publications

Hidden mediator roles of university spin-offs in Triple Helix networks

Hidden mediator roles of university spin-offs in Triple Helix networks

Stuck in the middle with you: The role of bridging organisations in urban regeneration

Technology transfer as a driver for location of R&D active firms on science parks

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