TY - JOUR

T1 - Shifting sands

T2 - regional perspectives on the role of social capital in supporting open innovation through knowledge transfer and exchange with small and medium-sized enterprises

AU - Padilla-Meléndez , Antonio

AU - Del Aguila-Obra , Ana Rosa

AU - Lockett, Nigel Jonathan

PY - 2013/5

Y1 - 2013/5

N2 - This article explores the role of social capital in enabling knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) between higher education institutions (HEIs) and spin-off (academic and non-academic) small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of open innovation, in order to convert knowledge into innovation within regional innovation systems. It presents the findings from 18 in-depth interviews with related stakeholders, and social network analysis of relationships in an exemplar technology park in Andalucía, southern Spain. The main findings suggest that there are many challenges to achieving successful KTE in regional innovation systems: recognition, intellectual property contracts and timescales. Similarly, there are opportunities related to intermediaries, joint teams and market impact. Significantly, the study highlights the importance of both formal and informal relationships as enablers of successful KTE involving HEIs and spin-off small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of open innovation.

AB - This article explores the role of social capital in enabling knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) between higher education institutions (HEIs) and spin-off (academic and non-academic) small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of open innovation, in order to convert knowledge into innovation within regional innovation systems. It presents the findings from 18 in-depth interviews with related stakeholders, and social network analysis of relationships in an exemplar technology park in Andalucía, southern Spain. The main findings suggest that there are many challenges to achieving successful KTE in regional innovation systems: recognition, intellectual property contracts and timescales. Similarly, there are opportunities related to intermediaries, joint teams and market impact. Significantly, the study highlights the importance of both formal and informal relationships as enablers of successful KTE involving HEIs and spin-off small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of open innovation.

KW - Academic entrepreneurship

KW - knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE)

KW - open innovation

KW - social capital

KW - spin-off SMEs

U2 - 10.1177/0266242612467659

DO - 10.1177/0266242612467659

M3 - Journal article

VL - 31

SP - 296

EP - 318

JO - International Small Business Journal

JF - International Small Business Journal

SN - 0266-2426

IS - 3

ER -