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Parallel business models and the innovativeness of research-based spin-off ventures

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  • Tommy Clausen
  • Einar Rasmussen

Abstract

Research-Based Spin-Offs (RBSOs) are seen as a potential mechanism for technology transfer by commercializing academic research and thereby stimulate industrial innovation. RBSOs are heterogeneous, however, and in this paper we investigate how the use of different business models by RBSOs is related to their innovativeness. We use a sample of 82 young RBSOs from Norway to explore typologies of RBSOs developed in earlier studies. Our findings show that some types of business models are associated with higher innovativeness than others. The typology approach has portrayed RBSOs as if they pursue only one business model. In this paper we challenge this assumption by drawing on evolutionary theory and the idea that firms may follow several business models in parallel. Our empirical findings suggest that most RBSOs pursue several business models in parallel and that such firms are more innovative. This study extends the typology approach within the academic entrepreneurship literature by showing that some business models are associated with higher innovativeness than others and that firms pursuing several business models at the same time may be particularly important for the commercialization of academic research. These findings have important implications for research and practise. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

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  • Tommy Clausen & Einar Rasmussen, 2013. "Parallel business models and the innovativeness of research-based spin-off ventures," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 38(6), pages 836-849, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:38:y:2013:i:6:p:836-849
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-012-9294-3
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    3. K. Poehlmann & R. Helm & O. Mauroner & J. Auburger, 2021. "Corporate spin-offs’ success factors: management lessons from a comparative empirical analysis with research-based spin-offs," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1767-1796, August.
    4. Paul Benneworth & Tiago Ratinho, 2014. "Reframing the Role of Knowledge Parks and Science Cities in Knowledge-Based Urban Development," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 32(5), pages 784-808, October.
    5. Marius Tuft Mathisen & Einar Rasmussen, 2019. "The development, growth, and performance of university spin-offs: a critical review," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1891-1938, December.
    6. Francisco Javier Miranda & Antonio Chamorro & Sergio Rubio, 2018. "Re-thinking university spin-off: a critical literature review and a research agenda," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 1007-1038, August.
    7. Veronica Scuotto & Manlio Del Giudice & Alexeis Garcia-Perez & Beatrice Orlando & Francesco Ciampi, 2020. "A spill over effect of entrepreneurial orientation on technological innovativeness: an outlook of universities and research based spin offs," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1634-1654, December.
    8. Yuan Jing, 2022. "The Relationship Between Business Model Innovation and Operational Performance of Incubator Enterprise," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 16(1), pages 153-191.
    9. Benneworth,Paul & Olmos-Peñuela,Julia, 2014. "Resolving tensions of research utilization: The value of a usability-based approach," INGENIO (CSIC-UPV) Working Paper Series 201410, INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), revised 22 Oct 2018.
    10. Einar Rasmussen & Mike Wright, 2015. "How can universities facilitate academic spin-offs? An entrepreneurial competency perspective," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 40(5), pages 782-799, October.
    11. Bouwman, Harry & de Reuver, Mark & Nikou, Shahrokh, 2017. "The impact of Digitalization on Business Models: How IT Artefacts, Social Media, and Big Data Force Firms to Innovate Their Business Model," 14th ITS Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, Kyoto 2017: Mapping ICT into Transformation for the Next Information Society 168475, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    12. Francisco I. Vega-Gómez & Francisco J. Miranda González & Antonio Chamorro Mera & Jesus Pérez-Mayo, 2020. "Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Skills and Their Influence on the Entrepreneurial Intention of Academics," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(2), pages 21582440209, June.
    13. Bouwman, Harry & Nikou, Shahrokh & de Reuver, Mark, 2019. "Digitalization, business models, and SMEs: How do business model innovation practices improve performance of digitalizing SMEs?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(9).
    14. Francis Kwaku Kuma & Mohd Effandi Bin Yusoff & Paul Kwasi Apreku-Djan, 2024. "A Synthesis of Crowdfunding Concepts in the Ghanaian Context: Crowdfunding Information Challenges in Ghana," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 435-460, March.
    15. Päivi Eriksson & Juha Vilhunen & Kalevi Voutilainen, 2015. "Exploring Business Models: A Case Study of the Commercialization of a Mobile Health Unit," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 4(2), pages 159-168, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic entrepreneurship; Business models; Innovativeness; Parallel-path; Technology transfer; L26; M13; O32;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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