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Success Factors for Science and Technology Parks in Croatia

Science and Technology Parks (STPs) are an important part of entrepreneurial infrastructure which fosters growth and development of technology-based firms, even though some STPs mainly focus on the real-estate aspects and cannot be considered a tool for economic growth. Our work will present the context in which Croatian STPs exist. We discuss the framework of models and strategies for STPs, developed in IASP (International Association of Science Parks) . These ideas can be adapted to the different contexts because they comprise some fundamental building blocks which distinguish STPs from real estate based projects. The success-improving factors observed for STPs are the focal point of our research and make up the basis for constructing the research questions. The research comprises of an internet based survey aimed at STP tenants, asking their opinion on the influence of operating in a STP surrounding on their firm's performance. One of the main values a firm gets by locating in an STP is easier access to a number of useful resources, such as physical and financial means, and exposure to knowledge spill-over, combined with decreased cost of tenancy. Institutional support from government can also improve survival odds of technology-based firms. The final STP success factor is creation of connections with universities and research institutes for effective technology transfer. Data gathered through our questionnaire was combined with secondary data from BIOS' recent study of Croatian STPs, as well as compared to data gathered from Polish Science parks . We contacted tenants of 5 Croatian STPs that are perceived as the most successful. Our target group consisted of 69 firms which were contacted by telephone and sent a link to the online survey which enabled the respondents' anonymity and made them more willing to answer the questions. In the process, 20 answered questionnaires were collected, which makes a statistically relevant 29% of our chosen population. This enabled us to make relevant conclusions on the subject researched. The questionnaire sent comprised of a mixture of 22 open-ended and close-ended questions that were designed to shows characteristics of on-site firms and their view on the operating within an STP. We propose following suggestions for improvement of existing and creation and development of the new STPs. Considering the building blocks needed in development of STPs, Croatian STPs should work on increasing their management support to tenants. Educational and consultancy services were perceived as insufficient, and tenants use them very rarely. Existing Croatian STPs should further strengthen their connection with universities, whereas these connections should become more functional instead of just being nominal. Among value-added services more emphasis should be put on improvement of connections with local authorities and civil associations, access to research laboratories and technology, more involvement with IPR consulting, and improving tenants’ opportunities to access venture capital. Creation of new jobs is evidently limited with scarce spatial resources, which delays increase in number of tenants, and their physical and economic growth. Based on these recommendations we propose that government should support these suggestions and help STPs implement best practices in their work. However, the financing should be found to implement those measures so that business incubators could serve as embryos for developing network of successful Croatian STPs. Further research for monitoring of these processes is recommendable on regular basis.

entrepreneurship; science and technology parks; economic growth; success factors

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