Linking firm characteristics, science park attributes and perceived benefits: empirical approach and results

Science parks often operate within hybrid space of the Triple Helix model and aim to enhance networking, innovation and economic performance of firms and regions. What the preferred configuration of these science parks is in terms of the attribute package it should offer to meet demands of resident organisations remains unclear. This study seeks to reveal the benefits that science park firms associate with specific science park attributes. A better understanding of relevant attributes and relationships with benefits that these firms seek can contribute to adapting science parks to the needs of users. This research follows the means-end theory, which suggests that products are acquired based on the benefits that individuals link to certain attributes, and uses a large sample of science park firms and statistical analysis to reveal the demands.
Science park attributes and benefits are first retrieved from literature research of prior empirical studies on science park firms. Data are collected through an online questionnaire. Science park attributes that the firm values are first elicited in open response format. The text strings obtained from this elicitation process are subsequently matched by the respondent with a list of pre-defined attributes. Next, the respondent is asked to indicate for each mentioned attribute the reason(s) why the attribute is important through a selection from a set of pre-defined benefits. The questionnaire is distributed among firms located on eight science parks in the Netherlands. This study reveals the associations science park firms make between attributes and benefits they perceive. Furthermore, the influence of firm characteristics on these perceptions are analysed. The results of the analysis provides academics, practitioners and policy-makers with valuable insight on the attribute-benefit associations (high technology) firms make that should allow them to make better informed decisions on science park management and development.