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Social Networks And Competitive Growth Of University Spin‐Off Firms: A Tale Of Two Contrasting Cities

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  • DANNY P. SOETANTO
  • MARINA VAN GEENHUIZEN

Abstract

A key assumption in agglomeration theory is that knowledge‐based firms benefit from knowledge spillovers in cities. Cities however may have different locations in the national context, such as embedded in a network of nearby cities or relatively isolated. We examine social networks employed by university spin‐off firms in urban environments that contrast in such a way, namely, Delft (the Netherlands) and Trondheim (Norway). A set of growth models is explored with a focus on characteristics of social networks through which knowledge is acquired, such as tightness, strength and spatial orientation. The networks appear to differ in various respects, except for a positive influence on growth of heterogeneity in the social background of partners. The largest difference is observed in strength of relationships: an increase in strength tends to hamper growth in Delft, while it tends to enhance growth in Trondheim.

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  • Danny P. Soetanto & Marina Van Geenhuizen, 2009. "Social Networks And Competitive Growth Of University Spin‐Off Firms: A Tale Of Two Contrasting Cities," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 100(2), pages 198-209, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:tvecsg:v:100:y:2009:i:2:p:198-209
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9663.2009.00529.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Danny P. Soetano & Mozhdeh Taheri & Marina van Geenhuizen, 2012. "Social Capital’s and Absorptive Capacities’ Impact on New Ventures’ Growth," Chapters, in: Marina van Geenhuizen & Peter Nijkamp (ed.), Creative Knowledge Cities, chapter 10, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Silveli Cristo-Andrade & João J. Ferreira, 2020. "Knowledge spillovers and strategic entrepreneurship: what researches and approaches?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 263-286, March.
    3. Danny P. Soetanto & Marina van Geenhuizen, 2011. "Social networks, university spin-off growth and promises of ‘living labs’," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(3), pages 305-321, August.
    4. Martina Fromhold-Eisebith & Claudia Werker, 2013. "Universities’ functions in knowledge transfer: a geographical perspective," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 51(3), pages 621-643, December.
    5. Chris P. Eveleens & Frank J. Rijnsoever & Eva M. M. I. Niesten, 2017. "How network-based incubation helps start-up performance: a systematic review against the background of management theories," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 676-713, June.
    6. Stefan Marc Hossinger & Xiangyu Chen & Arndt Werner, 2020. "Drivers, barriers and success factors of academic spin-offs: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 70(1), pages 97-134, February.

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