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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