Title: Innovative milieu, micro firms and local development in Barcelona

Authors: Josep Llados, Mireia Fernandez-Ardevol, Jordi Vilaseca

Addresses: Economic and Business Department; Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Avda. Tibidabo, 39–43, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. ' Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Avda. Tibidado, 47, 08035 Barcelona, Spain. ' Economic and Business Department; Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Rambla del Poblenou, 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: An entrepreneurial environment is conformed by factors that play a favourable role in the development of entrepreneurship. Economic literature on innovative milieus identifies those elements that are decisive in improving the competitive performance of companies. We analysed whether Barcelona Activa|s specific environment promotes the development of an innovative milieu, which favours entrepreneurial attitudes. The results show how the combination of incubation experience, development of ICT-based innovations and cooperation considerably improve the success probability of new firms. Moreover, participation in institutional activities that strengthen commercial and social networks also improves their chances. The local agency seems to be particularly suitable for entrepreneurs with labour experience and it plays a complementary role in the framework of the wide range of university spin-off centres in the metropolitan region.

Keywords: milieu; innovation; entrepreneurship; commercial networks; social networks; information technology; communications technology; ICT; business success; Barcelona; micro firms; Spain; entrepreneurial attitudes; universities; university spinoffs; local development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2009.022807

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2009 Vol.7 No.2, pp.214 - 231

Published online: 27 Jan 2009 *

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