Technological Incubators and the Social Construction of Innovation Networks : An Israeli Case Study

The construction of informal networks between universities and their affiliated technological incubators is explored using data gathered from forty-nine in-depth interviews with R&D project managers, project workers, and thirteen incubator support personnel from an incubator affiliated with the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, a leading research university. Findings point to a variety of strong and meaningful ties between the incubator's personnel and university staff and faculty members. The informal exchange of knowledge is part of a wider barter economy between the incubator and the Technion. In fact, the data support a cyclical model of innovation management, in which a two-way flow of knowledge and goods between the Technion and the incubator exists. Although the construction and maintenance of reciprocal ties has some drawbacks, including the uncertain loyalties of workers affiliated with both organizations, the incubator remains a solid example of how an active work relationship between a research university and an affiliated incubator is an extremely efficient way of promoting innovation management. (SAA)