Undertaking a Network Picture Approach to study entrepreneurial Firms within Science and Technology Parks

Despite the extensive research conducted on Science and Technology Parks (STPs) examining their nature, formation, evolution and outcomes, limited research can be found using a network level of analysis. Instead, most research is conducted at the team or entrepreneurial firm level, with limited attention given to either relationships or the embedding network surrounding entrepreneurial firms in STPs. On the other hand, studies focusing on entrepreneurship are characterized by a growing network-based research tradition. What this stream of research lacks, though, are further qualitative studies to enrich our understanding of the content of relationships and of the structures within entrepreneurial networks. With this paper, we integrate these two areas of research (i.e. STPs and entrepreneurship) from a business marketing perspective and address the identified research gaps. This is achieved by undertaking a network study to analyse different strategic net configurations of the 46 entrepreneurial high technology firms within a UK-based STP. Three different strategic net configurations are identified, with entrepreneurial firms being classified accordingly as believers, seekers or doubters. Unlike what is often hypothesized, the strategic net configuration chosen by an entrepreneurial firm within a STP has no association with the firms’ developmental stage. The paper reinforces the perspective that an inter-organizational network approach based on business marketing theory is beneficial for undertaking research on STPs and entrepreneurship, providing entrepreneurs, STPs and policy makers with a clearer understanding of what new ventures may seek and achieve as part of their presence within a STP.