Exploring the co-creation-innovativeness paradox: distance as an ecosystem characteristic of university spin-offs

Christina Öberg () and Christina Grundström ()
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Christina Öberg: Linnaeus University
Christina Grundström: Linköping University

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2024, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract Through empirical investigations into university spin-offs (USOs), we discovered innovativeness benefits derived from maintaining both academia and business partners at a distance. Distance should not be misconstrued as isolation; rather, it emphasises specific attributes where partners are maintained at arm’s length, affecting co-creation. Consequently, this paper explores how distance impacts the co-creation and innovativeness of USOs. It presents a longitudinal case study of a Swedish USO and conceptualises various types of distances, including actor-type, industry, supply-chain, geographical and knowledge-related distances. We explore the interplay between these different distance types as antecedents to USOs’ innovativeness and co-creation activities. The paper contributes to the existing literature by introducing the concept of distance as a critical characteristic affecting innovativeness and co-creation. By delineating various types of distances, it refines previous research on the characteristics of firm connections within university and business ecosystems.

Keywords: Co-creation; Distance; Ecosystem; Innovativeness; University spin-off (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1186/s13731-024-00440-1

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