Understanding technological knowledge spillover in a science technology park ecosystem: an ethnographic study

ABSTRACT

Technological knowledge spillover is a passive process that is difficult to exploit due to the unknown nature of the phenomenon. However, spillovers in certain geographical proximity improve growth and beneficial to the surrounding actors. Therefore, it is essential to understand the nature of technological knowledge spillover and how it happens in reality. This study closely observed and unravelled how spillover happened in the Science Technology Park ecosystem through two years of immersive ethnographic research. Two spillovers occurred from several projects. Eleven actors are involved in the technology transfer and knowledge spillover processes within two technological projects in the ecosystem. This study provides a descriptive explanation of how spillovers happen. Also, two propositions are discussed for extending the existing theory in the context of spillover in the Science Technological Park ecosystem. First, actuators and connectors in the ecosystem could promote technological knowledge spillovers; they also influence the breadth of spillovers in the ecosystem. Second, to gain benefits from the spillovers, actors must be adequately motivated and competent enough or able to leverage their network to exploit the spillage into commercial businesses.

KEYWORDS:

• Technological knowledge spillover
• absorption
• technology transfer
• science and technology park
• innovation

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adityo Wicaksono

Adityo Wicaksono is a researcher at the Research Center for Policy and Management of Science, Technology and Innovation – Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Previously, He has an extensive working experience as a professional in incubator and technology transfer fields at Center for Innovation. During his carrier, He collaborated with many actors in the Indonesian innovation ecosystem, including startup founders, incubator managers, researchers, government officials, and business executives. He provides various contributions for his organization by building incubation scheme, technology valuation, and technology transfer guidelines. Currently, He has dedicated himself for conducting research and producing new knowledge in various topics such as science, technology and innovation management, incubation practices, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

Kirana Rukmayuninda Ririh

Kirana Rukmayuninda Ririh is a researcher at the Research Center for Policy and Management of Science, Technology and Innovation – Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Previously she was a lecturer in Vocational Program of Business Administration-University of Indonesia. Her research interest is in industrial management;with special preference to innovation management, project management, and entrepreneurship. Now she dedicates herself in broader research topics such as science,technology and innovation (STI) management, incubation practices, and technology transfer. She is also the member of The Institution of Engineers Indonesia and Indonesian Researcher Union. She has conducted several consulting projects, for example in Telkom Infra Indonesia and Directorate General of Construction Development. She actively involved in many joint research projects both national and international such as with Georgia Tech and Glasgow Caledonian University. In 2015, She also won the Best Paper Award during Bappenas International Conference.