How regional factors influence the performance of science and technology parks: a comparative analysis of regional science parks in Thailand

ABSTRACT

Recent research on science and technology parks (STPs) has called for including regional contextual factors in studies of STP performance. However, no study has yet systematically assessed how regional contextual factors support or hinder STP performance. We apply a systematic framework to a comparative case study of three regional STPs in Thailand and analyse the effects of varying conditions along five dimensions: urbanisation, industrial structure, regional institutions and culture, university and research institutes, and financial resources in relation to the performance of each STP. The three Thai regions are similar in both size and levels of urbanisation and are governed by the same national programme for STP development, which provides a good methodological set-up for analysing the effects of varying regional contexts. Findings reveal that positive STP development is grounded in the presence of an innovative culture in regions driven by an active collaboration among local actors. Moreover, despite STPs being located in the same national innovation system, different regional contextual factors result in different levels of STP performance. A holistic understanding of these regional connections can help improve designs of STPs, and other supportive policies that are important for regional innovation development.

KEYWORDS:

• Science and technology parks
• regional context
• regional innovation systems
• developing countries
• science
• technology and innovation policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The name of the university is spelled ‘Songkla’, whereas the province name is spelled ‘Songkhla’.

 

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Royal Thai Government Scholarships.

Notes on contributors

Amonpat Poonjan

Amonpat Poonjan is a PhD student at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark. Her PhD thesis focuses on the importance of context-dependency for innovation policy approaches. Her research interests include innovation policy, economic geography, innovation systems in developing countries and technology foresight.

Anne Nygaard Tanner

Anne Nygaard Tanner is an Associate Professor at the UNEP DTU partnership. Her research focuses on innovation processes, sustainability transition of industries, the emergence of new industries and firms' knowledge sourcing strategies.

Per Dannemand Andersen

Per Dannemand Andersen is professor at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics at the Technical University of Denmark. His research interests focus on Technology foresight and on Research and innovation strategies in industrial sectors.