The emergence of academic spin-offs : an empirical study on promoting and restricting factors during the process of preparing to start up a business
Abstract
"This thesis focuses on the organizational emergence of academic spin-offs. These spin-offs are especially expected to contribute to innovation and employment since they are a direct form of knowledge and technology transfer from university to industry. However, not every business idea is translated into a newly founded business. Many nascent entrepreneurs abandon their start-up efforts during the initial, pre-seed phase. Accordingly, this study analyses the factors that determine whether university spin-offs are actually set up or not.<br> In order to shed some light on the research questions, secondary statistical data were combined with information from primary data. It was possible to use a net sample of 171 state-aided embryonic spin-offs for analysis. The share of start-ups in the sample that actually came to realisation was 64 per cent.<br> The conceptual framework takes into account both the initial situation and the start-up process itself. The initial situation is characterised by aspects of the founding individual or team and the nature of the business idea. The process-related characteristics encompass the organizing activities undertaken, as well as network support given to nascent entrepreneurs when setting up their businesses. In addition, decision-making strategies and perceived obstacles are dealt with.<br> The variables related to individual/team characteristics and the intensity of the problems perceived offer the highest explanatory power as regards whether a start-up enterprise was realised or not. Contrary to expectations, there does not seem to be a connection between the way decisions are made and the actual founding of a firm.<br> The study contributes to entrepreneurship research by analysing the neglected preparatory, or pre-seed, phase of academic spin-offs. It distinguishes itself from other studies due to its special focus on process characteristics - especially decision-making strategies.<br> Based on the results, recommendations for nascent entrepreneurs and university entrepreneurship centres are then presented. Furthermore, the study indicates avenues for further analysis." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Cite article
Schleinkofer, M. (2013): Entstehung von akademischen Ausgründungen. Eine empirische Untersuchung zu fördernden und hemmenden Faktoren im Prozess der Gründungsvorbereitung. (IAB-Bibliothek 341), Bielefeld: Bertelsmann, 277 p. DOI:10.3278/300807w