Why Some Research Insights Find Their Way to Market and Some Do Not

In our knowledge-based society academic spin- offs are an important form of technology transfer. However, most related entrepreneurial efforts fail. When looking at determining factors, researchers have to be regarded as members of a complex social network consisting not only of academic peers but also of participants from industry, policy, and supporting institutions, and friends and family members. This network is the academic entrepreneur's general framework of operation characterised by resource and communication flows of differing nature. The book tries to answer the question under what conditions spin-offs from academia emerge with special emphasis on the entrepreneurs' social capital expressed in terms of their social networks. To this end a detailed analysis of the characteristics of the social network academic entrepreneurs operate in at the different stages of the spin-off process was executed. The results are intended to increase academic entrepreneurs' awareness on how to optimally using their social networks when setting up a new business, and to support political decision-makers in fostering respective entrepreneurial dynamics.

Autorentext

studierte an der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien Handelswissenschaften mit Schwerpunkt Operations Research und Hochtechnologiemarketing. Von 2000 bis 2006 war sie als Innovationsbegleitforscherin bei HiTec Marketing tätig. Seit 2006 ist sie Referentin im Österreichischen Rat für Forschung und Technologieentwicklung.