Lessons from East-Asian Science and Technology Parks: Preparing the Take-Off in Next Generation Involved Countries

The number of Science and Technology Parks (STPs) is still growing fast in some parts in Europe but also in Asia. Policy makers tend to see STPs as an effective tool in enhancing knowledge-based local/regional growth, though there are some doubts on positive impacts of STPs in developed countries, while countries may also differ in institutional context of STPs influencing growth. The paper contributes to the literature by increasing understanding of STPs’ impacts in Asian, with regard to how the concept is elaborated in practice and which factors influence differences in growth of STPs. First, the concept of STPs and how it has been used in the recent will be analysed. Next, a framework (input-outcome) will be developed of factors determining STPs performance. The framework includes among others physical infrastructure factors, and institutional and social capital factors. A data base of 41 Asian STPs will be used to explore the influence of these factors on firm growth of STPs while applying regression analysis. Our preliminary results indicate a positive influence on STP growth of size of STPs (land), proximity to international airports, networking of STP actors over larger distances, and public management of the STP, as opposed to private or public-private management. Remarkably, the distance to university and regional location tend not to matter.