Title: Science parks: economic engines or a real estate concept?
1 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 Stockhol
m, 27 June 2009
2Characteristics 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
3The 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
4A rather recent phenomena
5Position of the Netherlands
- Relatively late starter (in the eighties first
initiatives) - Not as many science parks as might expected
6(No Transcript)
7The 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
8Real 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
9Scores for statements presented
10Differences in geographical orientation
Bio Science Park Leiden High
Tech Campus - Eindhoven
11Regional location factors
12Valuation 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.
13Conclusions
- 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
14Conclusions
- 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
15Conclusions
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.).
16UrbanSolutions