Diversity as a critical element in stimulating the role of technical universities in the regional economy

Abstract

Universities are increasingly seen as important players in the regional economy, among others through their contribution to the rise of new high-technology companies and mechanisms of knowledge transfer. Regional-economic development and the creation of academic research clusters are becoming more and more mutually intertwined dynamic forces. In this paper, we will offer some background observations, describe some empirical developments concerning the desired and actual growth of spin-off companies from universities, and provide some strategic policy lessons. The focus of analysis is on differences in growth rate of incubators in a comparative study across the developed world and on differences in growth rate between spin-off companies in a local study, i.e. concerning Delft University of Technology in Delft in the Netherlands. The overall conclusion is that diversity matters in many ways in a positive sense For example, diversity in stakeholders in the incubation initiative, diversity in types of target companies in incubation programs, and diversity in networks through which knowledge flows tend to enhance growth of spin-off companies. © 2007, JAPAN SECTION OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.