Why firms on science parks should not be expected to show better performance the story of twelve biotechnology firms

Abstract

This paper investigates growth in employment over a 13-year period in 12 small biotechnology firms, with the purpose of understanding the effects of a science park location on firm development. Findings show that all of the firms experiencing higher-growth moved off of a science park prior to exhibiting high-growth performance. Similarly, all the non-surviving firms with a science park history also relocated off-park prior to their failure. This suggests that we need to look beyond firms' present locations to see the effects of a science park location.