Myriam Cloodt

Inter-firm R&D networks in the global software industry: an overview of major trends and patterns

This paper presents an analysis of some major historical trends in inter-firm R&D partnering in the international software industry during the period 1970–1999. Our research demonstrates an overall growth pattern of newly made R&D partnerships and reveals the important role played by leading firms. We also examine the emergence of various R&D networks in the software industry, indicating the change from sparse and disconnected inter-firm R&D networks to dense and well-connected networks since the second half of the 1980s.

Trends and Patterns in Interfirm R&D Networks in the Global Computer Industry: An Analysis of Major Developments, 1970–1999

In the early 1970s, a few computer companies began to form partnerships with other firms in the international computer industry for the purpose of sharing research and development (R&D) resources. This trend did not take hold in a meaningful way until the beginning of the 1980s. Our study focuses on this particular sector because it represents a major industry in which interfirm R&D partnering occurs.

An exploratory study of recent trends in the diversification of Dutch publishing companies in the multimedia and information industries

Abstract In this exploratory study we investigate the investment strategies of companies in a traditional sector that faces important challenges from new technologies. We focus on the various forms of investment and divestment that are used by companies to achieve diversification. Using data from a small sample of leading Dutch publishing companies, we apply a multinomial logit analysis to model the investment preferences of these firms. Our data show that these leading companies in the industry diversify into new activities that are centered around the Internet, e-business, and other electronic products and services. These firms are found to prefer a gradual diversification through related activities. In terms of international diversification, the current strength of the new economy, expressed in major new technological developments and the creation of new businesses, affects the investment strategies of these companies through their strong preference for North American activities.

Campus, technopole, science, technology or research park: a typology study on science parks in Europe

Although science parks are established globally for decades, still limited attention is paid towards research into possible typologies within these real estate concepts. Science parks are believed to enhance, among others, innovative output, entrepreneurship, and economic value for firms and regions. Past academic research shows mixed results on these performances and suggests that the lack of clear results is due to not taking into account the wide variety of of types of science parks that exist in reality. Prior attempts in categorizing science parks are characterized by the limited number of cases and variables. Therefore the present study serves to fill this gap in the literature by developing a more comprehensive analysis of science park typologies. A large-scale survey on science park characteristics is distributed among all known science park managers/owners in Europe in order to collect data on both physical and non-physical science parks features. The selected variables of science park features are based on prior academic research. The total list of science parks is compiled through a number of sources including desk research (case studies reported in the literature), member lists of science park associations and other registers. A cluster analysis is conducted to group the different science parks into types with clearer differences. The typologies of science parks, derived in this way from data, provide a further understanding of science parks in general and offers researchers and practitioners a means to compare, market, and benchmark science parks more adequately.