science parks: economic engines or a real estate concept? prof. dr. jacques van dinteren royal...
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Science parks: economic engines or a real estate concept?
Prof. dr. Jacques van Dinteren
Royal Haskoning, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Stockholm, 27 June 2009
Characteristics of science parks
Science parks, also commonly known as research parks, technology parks, etc.,
According to Hansson (2004), they usually have the following elements in common (Hansson, 2004):
physical proximity of a university;
a focus on knowledge and high-tech companies
the presence of an organisation that is helpful to start-ups
But often it is also said that the clustering of firms and a university is of great importance with regard to linkages / exchange of knowledge and information
The question
The question comes up whether a science park is a
real estate concept or an ‘engine’ that stimulates the
exchange of information and innovation
Research results (mainly in the United Kingdom)
suggest that for entrepreneurs the importance of
proximity to other firms and universities is limited
when it comes to strategic knowledge
Results of research on two science parks in the
Netherlands
A rather recent phenomena
Position of the Netherlands
Relatively late starter (in the eighties first initiatives) Not as many science parks as might expected
Country Umbrella organisation of science parks
A: population size
(millions)
B: number of parks /
affiliated science parks
B:A
Netherlands None 16 10 0.6 United Kingdom
United Kingdom Science Park Association (UKSPA)
60 70 1.2
Finland Finnish Science Park Association (TEKEL)
5 33 6.6
Portugal Portuguese Association of Science and Technology Parks (TECPARQUES)
11 12 1.1
Italy Italian Association of Science and Technology Parks (APSTI)
60 31 0.5
Sweden Lindelöf and Löfsten (2003) 9 23 2.6 Spain Spanish Association of Science
and Technology Parks (APTE) 45 69 1.5
The research project
It is difficult to state that the position of the
Netherlands has to do with the relatively smaller
number of science parks, but it is interesting to see
what their contribution might be
A project is set up to investigate Dutch science parks
Bio Science Park in Leiden
High Tech Campus in Eindhoven
Real estate concept?
A well-chosen region and location are important With regard to strategic information, proximity seems
to be of low importance. For example: Dutch ICT and life science companies principally look beyond their own region for the pertinent knowledge required to solve technological and organisational problems
Than the question also arises as to whether a positive effect on the regional economy may be expected
Perhaps then we should view a science park primarily as a real estate concept. Not in the narrow sense of the word but more widely, so that the facilities, etc., are also included in the concept
Scores for statements presented
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Productivityhigher
Good way ofprofiling
Distance isirrelevant
Totally disagree
Disagree
Agree
Totally agree
Differences in geographical orientation
Bio Science Park – Leiden High Tech Campus - Eindhoven
Regional location factors
High Tech Campus Bio Science Park
Presence of other companies and institutions on the site
61%
Image of the park 71% Presentable buildings 36% Rental and service charges 29% Opportunities to collaborate with other companies close by
35% 26%
Specific facilities for the business process (clean rooms, labs, etc.)
29%
Valuation of opportunities
Opportunities for joint research with the university – 60% (very) positive
Access to libraries and information systems – 58% (very) positive Access to graduate students – 55% (very) positive Opportunities for university staff to work part-time in our company
– 46% (very) positive Contract research – 38% (very) positive Academic training programmes for my staff – 34% (very) positive Access to laboratories or clean rooms – 34% (very) positive Opportunities for part-time tuition given at the university – 17%
(very) positive.
Conclusions
Strategic relationships are not essential to companies at a science park
What is of particular importance is being able to work in a specific environment that is advantageous for the companies involved, strongly geared to knowledge as they are
These advantages arise from the opportunity for informal contacts, the opportunity to share facilities and the presence of large numbers of knowledge workers (employment market, opportunities for exchanges with the university) and new graduates
Conclusions
Science parks seem to be far more a matter of a specific, local environment for a specific market segment
In this sense, we can speak of a particular real estate concept
But a real estate concept including all kind of services and professional management
Facilities are far more important than in other concepts
Facilities and a good working environment will become of greater importance in the ‘battle for talent’
Conclusions
With regard to this latter point is interesting to see that 73% of the entrepreneurs (totally) agreed with the following statement: In view of the increasing scarcity of highly qualified individuals on the employment market, it is essential that a science park offers the optimal work environment to employees. This involves extensive facilities (for instance, shops, hairdressers, catering establishments, fitness studios, etc.) and an attractively designed business park with recreational opportunities (walking and running routes, meeting places, etc.).
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