This article seeks to better understand the link between regional characteristics and individual ... more This article seeks to better understand the link between regional characteristics and individual entrepreneurship.We combine individual-levelGlobal Entrepreneurship Monitor data for Western Germany with regional-level data, using multilevel analysis to test our hypotheses. We find no direct link between regional knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture on the one side and individual business start-up intentions and start-up activity on the other side. However, our findings point to the importance of an indirect effect of regional characteristics as knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture have an effect on the individual perception of founding opportunities, which in turn predicted start-up intentions and activity.
Abstract: We attempt to extend the static analysis of innovator networks by providing case study ... more Abstract: We attempt to extend the static analysis of innovator networks by providing case study based insights into the dynamic, developmental or evolutionary pattern of such networks. In the theoretical part, we develop some building blocs that are considered central to a theory of network evolution. Especially, we focus on the growth of innovator networks and their structural change over time, i.e. how new relationships come into existence and existing ties are cut, how new actors join the system, and other actors leave it. The factors shaping these structural properties, can explain how coherence might increase in some periods while it might decrease in others. We exemplify these patterns for the case of the Jena network of innovators during the period 1995-2001. Introduction The notion of collective invention has been introduced in the literature by Allen (1983) who provides evidence from the 19 th century iron and steel industry where innovative success was the result of the c...
Previous research on entrepreneurial teams has failed to settle the controversy over whether team... more Previous research on entrepreneurial teams has failed to settle the controversy over whether team heterogeneity helps or hinders new venture performance. Reconciling this inconsistency, this paper suggests a new conceptual approach to disentangle differential effects of team heterogeneity by modeling two separate heterogeneity dimensions, namely knowledge scope and knowledge disparity. Analyzing unique data on functional experiences of the members of 337 start-up teams, we find support for our contention of team heterogeneity as a two-dimensional concept. Results suggest that knowledge disparity negatively relates to both start-ups’ entrepreneurial and innovative performance. In contrast, we find knowledge scope to positively affect entrepreneurial performance, while it shows an inverse U-shaped relationship to innovative start-up performance. INTRODUCTION It is widely acknowledged that entrepreneurship occurs as a shared effort with new firms more often being created by groups of p...
A growing number of studies identify a generalized slowdown in labor productivity growth. The ver... more A growing number of studies identify a generalized slowdown in labor productivity growth. The very existence of the slowdown ignited a series of academic debates suggesting that secular stagnation or 'mismeasurement' problems are at the root of the observed trends. We posit that the composition of aggregate productivity matters. In a nutshell, we make the analysis of productivity growth slowdown more fine-grained by shifting the focus to the industry level, considering that the downward trend identified at the macroeconomic level emerges from the aggregation of diverse industry-level productivity trends. We perform an analysis of the structural dynamics of labor productivity by conducting a non-parametric dynamic decomposition exercise that separates within (improvement) and between (structural change) effects for 10 OECD countries. By pooling industries in groups identified according to two different taxonomies - one related to R&D intensities rankings, and the other built ...
In innovation research it is widely acknowledged that different dimensions of proximity influence... more In innovation research it is widely acknowledged that different dimensions of proximity influence the success of research collaborations and consequently the choice of cooperation partners (Boschma, 2005). However, the interrelations between these dimensions are still hardly explored. Furthermore, the research on the influence of these proximity dimensions on network evolution in the framework of a dynamical analysis is still at an early stage. Seminal studies merely focus on the investigation of static network structures (Giuliani, 2007; Morrison and Rabellotti, 2009; Giuliani and Bell, 2005). Moreover, the relation between certain proximity dimensions and the network configuration is by no means unidirectional (ter Wal and Boschma, 2011). In fact, individual characteristic, such as technological capabilities, and thus the proximity to others coevolve over time with the network (ter Wal and Boschma, 2011). In this paper we make a start in analyzing this interplay between the common...
Are heterogeneous new venture teams more successful than homogenously compounded teams, or is it ... more Are heterogeneous new venture teams more successful than homogenously compounded teams, or is it the other way around? Some scholars regard heterogeneous teams as more effective in solving non-routine problems because of the broader knowledge scope. However, heterogeneous teams may suffer from disparity, which leads to communication problems and poor strategic decision making. Therefore, heterogeneity is often regarded as a
ABSTRACT How do academic spin-offs perform relative to other innovative start-ups? What are the f... more ABSTRACT How do academic spin-offs perform relative to other innovative start-ups? What are the factors that influence differences in their performance? Or do such performance differences exist at all? This study provides unique comparative evidence on the early performance of both types of entrepreneurial venturing. We apply non-parametric propensity score matching to address the potentially confounding influence of the endogeneity of academics' decision whether and when to engage in firm founding. Utilizing archival and survey data on 128 academic spin-offs and an equivalently matched group of 128 non-academic innovative start-ups in Germany, we find that firms involving academic founders experience a lower risk of default and achieve higher levels of innovative output in the first years of business operation. Results however do not suggest significant differences with respect to job-creation early after start-up. Moreover, the two sets of firms benefit differently from their initial resource endowment and strategic decisions. In particular, technological resources the founders contribute to their new venture and the market strategy at founding emerge as potential drivers of performance differences between academic spin-offs and other technology-based start-ups, whereas financial resources and founders' entrepreneurial human capital do not show differential effects.
At least since Schumpeter published his work ‘The Theory of Economic Development’ (19... more At least since Schumpeter published his work ‘The Theory of Economic Development’ (1912), a wide body of literature has focused on the evolutionary process behind firm growth and survival. Recently a growing interest is devoted to the variable ‘location’ as a critical factor, shaping firm performance. However, less attention has been paid to the region-specific characteristics that may play a
This study investigates academic entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), which we define as scientists&... more This study investigates academic entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), which we define as scientists' intentions to start their own business in order to market their research knowledge. Applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we develop and test a path model consisting of proximal and distal predictors of AEI. Entrepreneurial attitudes, norms, and control perceptions are examined as proximal predictors. Taking into account potential background factors described in the TBP, scientists' human and social capital variables are studied as distal predictors. Findings are derived from a path analysis utilizing archival and survey data on German scientists (N = 496). We find that attitudes and perceived control predicted AEI, whereas subjective norms have no effect. Human and social capitals exhibit indirect effects on AEI via entrepreneurial attitudes and control perceptions. In addition, direct effects of both capitals on AEI show up significantly. Our study contributes to the ...
This article seeks to better understand the link between regional characteristics and individual ... more This article seeks to better understand the link between regional characteristics and individual entrepreneurship.We combine individual-levelGlobal Entrepreneurship Monitor data for Western Germany with regional-level data, using multilevel analysis to test our hypotheses. We find no direct link between regional knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture on the one side and individual business start-up intentions and start-up activity on the other side. However, our findings point to the importance of an indirect effect of regional characteristics as knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture have an effect on the individual perception of founding opportunities, which in turn predicted start-up intentions and activity.
Abstract: We attempt to extend the static analysis of innovator networks by providing case study ... more Abstract: We attempt to extend the static analysis of innovator networks by providing case study based insights into the dynamic, developmental or evolutionary pattern of such networks. In the theoretical part, we develop some building blocs that are considered central to a theory of network evolution. Especially, we focus on the growth of innovator networks and their structural change over time, i.e. how new relationships come into existence and existing ties are cut, how new actors join the system, and other actors leave it. The factors shaping these structural properties, can explain how coherence might increase in some periods while it might decrease in others. We exemplify these patterns for the case of the Jena network of innovators during the period 1995-2001. Introduction The notion of collective invention has been introduced in the literature by Allen (1983) who provides evidence from the 19 th century iron and steel industry where innovative success was the result of the c...
Previous research on entrepreneurial teams has failed to settle the controversy over whether team... more Previous research on entrepreneurial teams has failed to settle the controversy over whether team heterogeneity helps or hinders new venture performance. Reconciling this inconsistency, this paper suggests a new conceptual approach to disentangle differential effects of team heterogeneity by modeling two separate heterogeneity dimensions, namely knowledge scope and knowledge disparity. Analyzing unique data on functional experiences of the members of 337 start-up teams, we find support for our contention of team heterogeneity as a two-dimensional concept. Results suggest that knowledge disparity negatively relates to both start-ups’ entrepreneurial and innovative performance. In contrast, we find knowledge scope to positively affect entrepreneurial performance, while it shows an inverse U-shaped relationship to innovative start-up performance. INTRODUCTION It is widely acknowledged that entrepreneurship occurs as a shared effort with new firms more often being created by groups of p...
A growing number of studies identify a generalized slowdown in labor productivity growth. The ver... more A growing number of studies identify a generalized slowdown in labor productivity growth. The very existence of the slowdown ignited a series of academic debates suggesting that secular stagnation or 'mismeasurement' problems are at the root of the observed trends. We posit that the composition of aggregate productivity matters. In a nutshell, we make the analysis of productivity growth slowdown more fine-grained by shifting the focus to the industry level, considering that the downward trend identified at the macroeconomic level emerges from the aggregation of diverse industry-level productivity trends. We perform an analysis of the structural dynamics of labor productivity by conducting a non-parametric dynamic decomposition exercise that separates within (improvement) and between (structural change) effects for 10 OECD countries. By pooling industries in groups identified according to two different taxonomies - one related to R&D intensities rankings, and the other built ...
In innovation research it is widely acknowledged that different dimensions of proximity influence... more In innovation research it is widely acknowledged that different dimensions of proximity influence the success of research collaborations and consequently the choice of cooperation partners (Boschma, 2005). However, the interrelations between these dimensions are still hardly explored. Furthermore, the research on the influence of these proximity dimensions on network evolution in the framework of a dynamical analysis is still at an early stage. Seminal studies merely focus on the investigation of static network structures (Giuliani, 2007; Morrison and Rabellotti, 2009; Giuliani and Bell, 2005). Moreover, the relation between certain proximity dimensions and the network configuration is by no means unidirectional (ter Wal and Boschma, 2011). In fact, individual characteristic, such as technological capabilities, and thus the proximity to others coevolve over time with the network (ter Wal and Boschma, 2011). In this paper we make a start in analyzing this interplay between the common...
Are heterogeneous new venture teams more successful than homogenously compounded teams, or is it ... more Are heterogeneous new venture teams more successful than homogenously compounded teams, or is it the other way around? Some scholars regard heterogeneous teams as more effective in solving non-routine problems because of the broader knowledge scope. However, heterogeneous teams may suffer from disparity, which leads to communication problems and poor strategic decision making. Therefore, heterogeneity is often regarded as a
ABSTRACT How do academic spin-offs perform relative to other innovative start-ups? What are the f... more ABSTRACT How do academic spin-offs perform relative to other innovative start-ups? What are the factors that influence differences in their performance? Or do such performance differences exist at all? This study provides unique comparative evidence on the early performance of both types of entrepreneurial venturing. We apply non-parametric propensity score matching to address the potentially confounding influence of the endogeneity of academics' decision whether and when to engage in firm founding. Utilizing archival and survey data on 128 academic spin-offs and an equivalently matched group of 128 non-academic innovative start-ups in Germany, we find that firms involving academic founders experience a lower risk of default and achieve higher levels of innovative output in the first years of business operation. Results however do not suggest significant differences with respect to job-creation early after start-up. Moreover, the two sets of firms benefit differently from their initial resource endowment and strategic decisions. In particular, technological resources the founders contribute to their new venture and the market strategy at founding emerge as potential drivers of performance differences between academic spin-offs and other technology-based start-ups, whereas financial resources and founders' entrepreneurial human capital do not show differential effects.
At least since Schumpeter published his work ‘The Theory of Economic Development’ (19... more At least since Schumpeter published his work ‘The Theory of Economic Development’ (1912), a wide body of literature has focused on the evolutionary process behind firm growth and survival. Recently a growing interest is devoted to the variable ‘location’ as a critical factor, shaping firm performance. However, less attention has been paid to the region-specific characteristics that may play a
This study investigates academic entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), which we define as scientists&... more This study investigates academic entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), which we define as scientists' intentions to start their own business in order to market their research knowledge. Applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB), we develop and test a path model consisting of proximal and distal predictors of AEI. Entrepreneurial attitudes, norms, and control perceptions are examined as proximal predictors. Taking into account potential background factors described in the TBP, scientists' human and social capital variables are studied as distal predictors. Findings are derived from a path analysis utilizing archival and survey data on German scientists (N = 496). We find that attitudes and perceived control predicted AEI, whereas subjective norms have no effect. Human and social capitals exhibit indirect effects on AEI via entrepreneurial attitudes and control perceptions. In addition, direct effects of both capitals on AEI show up significantly. Our study contributes to the ...
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