Innovation centres and their importance for the growth of new technology-based firms

experience gained from the Federal Republic of Germany

authored by

Rolf Sternberg

Abstract

The following study is based on three countrywide surveys aimed at investigating the effect of innovation centres as an instrument of local economic development and innovation policy in the Federal Republic of Germany (F.R.G.). The conceptual bases of 31 centres, the situation of 177 resident entrepreneurs and the characteristics of 29 site managers are investigated by means of written inquiries, structured interviews and oral inquiries. The representative nature of the data gathered allows a first cautious stocktaking of this still unequivocal instrument of economic development policy after 5 years' experience of innovation centres in the F.R.G. The main emphasis of the present investigation is on the implication that services rendered by the centres have for the growth and innovation opportunities of young companies that predominantly stem from the pool of new technology-based firms.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Economic and Human Geography

Type

Article

Journal

TECHNOVATION

Volume

9

Pages

681-694

No. of pages

14

ISSN

0166-4972

Publication date

12.1989

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering, Management of Technology and Innovation

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-4972(89)90006-0 (Access: Closed)