Interaction among High-tech Talent and its Impact on Innovation Performance: A Comparison of Taiwanese Science Parks at Different Stages of Development

Abstract

Numerous studies have studied how knowledge spillovers and various other factors influence industrial clusters in terms of geographical proximity. Related studies have generally confirmed significant positive correlations between firm innovative activities and factors such as spatial proximity and degree of industrial clustering. This study elucidates on an individual level, based on the relationship between proximity dimension and innovative activity, the interactive relationships between the mobility and interaction of high-tech talent and innovation performance. Survey results indicate that the spatial proximity of firms clustering within the Hsinchu and Tainan Science-based Industrial Park increases the interaction among high-tech personnel and the expansion of their professional networks, thus promoting innovation. Gradually organizational and social proximity evolve from physical proximity within high-tech districts via the evolution of industrial networks and interactions among high-tech talent. Additionally survey results demonstrate the value of mobility and informal relationships involving high-tech talent, as well as the effect of these relationships on innovation performance during the various stages of science park development. However, how to avoid lock-in in the future development of high-tech districts remains a critical issue. The results of this investigation provide a useful reference for planning and managing industrial districts.

Consideration of Proximity in Selection of Residential Location by Science and Technology Workers: Case Study of Hsinchu, Taiwan

“…Direct dependence on knowledge acquisition and accumulation, and the focus on technology and specialized human resource inputs for creating knowledge and capabilities for facilitating the efficient application of such knowledge, have begun to sustain industrial agglomeration and sustained economic growth (Hu et al, 2005;Hu, 2008). Accordingly, actors perform routine behaviours to reduce uncertainty, particularly when seeking new knowledge.…”

“…Hsinchu district: location and major infrastructure and urban characteristics situation indicates that the growth boundaries of the Hsinchu district were influenced by spillover from the HSIP innovation network. From the perspective of job mobility for science and technology workers, even in the event of them changing jobs such workers tend to continue working in knowledge-intensive service industries or research institutions near the HSIP, possibly owing to their unwillingness to give up long-established knowledge innovation networks (Hu et al, 2005;Hu, 2008). Benefiting from the input of research organizations, academic institutions and R&D activities, the Hsinchu district has a significant concentration of high-tech industries.…”

Soft infrastructure as a new potential for urban development in Taipei City

“…Several studies have examined the economic significance of cultural industries, documenting how fashion industry contributes to employment, value-added products, and exports [16]. Hu [17], who examined the interactive relationships between space proximity and innovation activities, determined that the mobility of professionals stimulates interactions among firms.…”

Knowledge Interaction and Spatial Dynamics in Industrial Districts

“…The environment, industry, economy, knowledge and space develop via the interaction between the participants. Innovative knowledge that improves industrial development is formed by absorbing external knowledge and combining it with internal knowledge [30][31][32]. The intensive interaction between participants increases the knowledge effect score, and thus enables the integration of knowledge, innovation, and space into innovative networks [33,34].…”