Science parks: economic engines or a real estate concept?

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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 Stockhol
m, 27 June 2009
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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

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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

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A rather recent phenomena
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Position of the Netherlands

• Relatively late starter (in the eighties first
  initiatives)
• Not as many science parks as might expected

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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

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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

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Scores for statements presented
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Differences in geographical orientation
Bio Science Park Leiden High
Tech Campus - Eindhoven
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Regional location factors
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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.

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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

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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

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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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