Sources and benefits of social capital for technology based firms in STPs a case of METU Technopolis

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Date

2014

Author

Aslan, Duygu

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The main objective of this thesis is to analyze the sources and benefits of social capital for technology based firms located in science and technology parks (STPs). For this aim, the dyadic and network relations of technology based firms within a science and technology park were examined by analyzing firms in METU Technopolis, the first science and technology park established in Turkey. A mixed method approach including both quantitative and qualitative methods was applied, and for the qualitative analysis the approach of grounded theory was used. According to the findings, informal networks among the owners or managers of technology based firms constitute a source for the generation of social capital in STPs. The geographical proximity provided by STPs is not a source or a driver for the formation of social capital between technology based firms. Furthermore, the match between the goals of the firms and the structure of benefits of social capital strongly affect the perceived value of the benefits. As one of the major goals of the firms is engaging in innovation and R&D activities, firms see strong ties more valuable since joint work seeking R&D and innovation necessitates a more embedded relation that can be formed through these strong ties. In light of the findings of the study, five propositions and a theoretical model were developed to be investigated in further research and some possible policy implications were also drawn to stimulate social capital in STPs.

Subject Keywords

Academic-industrial collaboration., Research, Industrial., Innovation relay centers., Technological innovations., Infrastructure (Economics).

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12618006/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/24120

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

D. Aslan, “Sources and benefits of social capital for technology based firms in STPs a case of METU Technopolis,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2014.