R&D ‘inputs’ and ‘outputs’ of technology‐based firms located on and off Science Parks

Abstract

Science Parks (adjacent to universities) provide an important resource network for technology‐based firms. To ascertain the ‘added value’ of a Science Park location the innovativeness (with regard to a variety of ‘input’ as well as ‘output’ measures) of independent technology‐based Science Park firms are compared with the levels recorded by a comparable group of firms not located on a Park. Empirical evidence collected in 1992/93 from firms in a ‘follow‐on’ sample (originally interviewed in 1986) as well as a ‘new sample’ study (independent firms that had located on a Science Park between 1986 and 1992) both revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups on a variety of innovativeness measures. Results from both samples suggest Science Park firms do not directly invest more in R&D than off‐Park firms nor do they record significantly higher levels of technology diffusion. The policy implications of the research findings are discussed.