Article: Building innovation networks in science-based young firms: the selection of knowledge sources Journal: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB) 2014 Vol.21 No.3 pp.370 - 390 Abstract: The paper investigates the strategic choices made by young science-based firms regarding the selection of knowledge sources. Data collected on Portuguese biotechnology firms are analysed with a view to answer to two research questions: whether, to what extent and in which conditions science-based entrepreneurs activate their social capital and/or build new knowledge relationships at start-up; whether and to what extent the knowledge relationships established at start-up persist and/or the firm builds relationships with new organisations. The results confirm the importance attributed to tie persistence but they also show that science-based firms need to search for new knowledge sources from the very early stages. Thus, their start-up behaviour departs from the one often depicted by the entrepreneurship literature, that emphasises the mobilisation of the entrepreneurs' social capital. Results also show that persistence of ties established at start-up is lower than would be expected. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Building innovation networks in science-based young firms: the selection of knowledge sources

Authors: Cristina Sousa; Margarida Fontes

Addresses: DINÂMIA'CET-IUL, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Av. das Forças Armadas 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal ' Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, 22 – Edificio C, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal; DINÂMIA'CET-IUL, Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Av. das Forças Armadas 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract: The paper investigates the strategic choices made by young science-based firms regarding the selection of knowledge sources. Data collected on Portuguese biotechnology firms are analysed with a view to answer to two research questions: whether, to what extent and in which conditions science-based entrepreneurs activate their social capital and/or build new knowledge relationships at start-up; whether and to what extent the knowledge relationships established at start-up persist and/or the firm builds relationships with new organisations. The results confirm the importance attributed to tie persistence but they also show that science-based firms need to search for new knowledge sources from the very early stages. Thus, their start-up behaviour departs from the one often depicted by the entrepreneurship literature, that emphasises the mobilisation of the entrepreneurs' social capital. Results also show that persistence of ties established at start-up is lower than would be expected.

Keywords: knowledge networks; entrepreneurship; network building strategy; science-based firms; innovation networks; knowledge sources; strategic choices; Portugal; biotechnology industry; biotech; science-based entrepreneurs; social capital; knowledge relationships; start-ups; start-up behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2014.060898

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2014 Vol.21 No.3, pp.370 - 390

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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Title: Building innovation networks in science-based young firms: the selection of knowledge sources

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