Soft Computing in Management and Business Economics

Abstract

This study identifies different models of programmes for supporting the creation of spin-offs in universities, and analyses their differentiated characteristics. The analysis was performed using data collected by way of a survey, targeted at the heads of spin-off support programmes in universities in the United Kingdom and Spain, to which we applied the cluster analysis technique, and then a Anova analysis to confirm their results. This enabled us to identify in these universities three types of spin-off support programmes, differing in terms of experience, resources, universitýs commitment, proactivity, selectivity, number of spin-offs created and rate of survival. Among the various types of programmes identified, we found one that appear to be model for success. This type seems to opt for a policy intermediate of proactivity and selectivity. We have also found the existence of a certain "country effect" on the characteristics of the successful model. Finally, we have been able to confirm the importance given by the literature to university R&D activity and to the existence of a favourable environment to the success of spin-off programmes. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.