Science and Technology Parks as mission-driven innovation ecosystems: The major role of network centralities and innovation events compared to location effects

This paper re-opens the debate between on-park and off-park firms in terms of innovation performance by focussing on Science and Technology Parks (STP) as mission-driven innovation ecosystems (IES). These STPs serve as intermediary platforms where various actors, both on-park and off-park, collaborate to develop new paths for value creation. Focusing on the influence of the ecosystem network, this study investigates whether, within an STP-based IES, network centrality effects outweigh location effects in shaping firms' innovation performance, or vice versa. Taking the example of Eurasanté Park, which orchestrates the Healthcare ecosystem in northern France, we used structural network analyses and econometric models to evaluate the impact of network centralities and location on firms' innovation performance. Our findings suggest that, within an STP-based IES, a firm's innovation performance is not solely determined by its physical location within the park but rather by its active engagement within the ecosystem network and innovation events. STP mission-driven ecosystems could provide a high-quality place, facilities and a complex network, helping firms to innovate. 

Key words: Innovation Ecosystem; Network centralities, Location effects, Science and Technology Park