Title: On-park and off-park research spin-offs: some insights from an empirical investigation on Italy

Authors: Ilaria Mariotti; Elisa Salvador

Addresses: Polytechnic of Milan – DAStU, Piazza L. da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milan, Italy ' Management Research Center (CRG), Ecole Polytechnique, Batiment Ensta, 828, Boulevard des Maréchaux, 91762 Palaiseau Cedex, France

Abstract: Research spin-offs (RSOs) are recognised as an important opportunity for universities, and for enhancing entrepreneurship and growth. Several empirical investigations have been published in this field, and the debate on the relationship between RSOs and science parks/incubators is still open. This paper aims at contributing to this debate through an investigation of the role played by these structures for the growth and development of RSOs. The empirical analysis - descriptive statistics and econometric estimation - focuses on 155 respondents in a questionnaire investigation. It shows that on-park RSOs are smaller than off-park firms, they have an international attitude, and are specialised in the biopharmaceutical sector. The analysis reveals that RSOs are less prone to develop patents compared to off-park ones, and seem to be high value-added and innovative. RSOs require huge investments in equipment and laboratories in order to grow, facilities offered by structures like science parks and incubators.

Keywords: research spin-offs; RSOs; science parks; business incubators; technology transfer; Italy; universities; entrepreneurship; biopharmaceuticals; biopharmaceutical industry; patents; value-added; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2015.073217

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2015 Vol.19 No.5/6, pp.405 - 422

Received: 11 Oct 2012
Accepted: 22 Feb 2014
Published online: 29 Nov 2015 *

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