0. Felsensteinpark in that city and a further group <strong>of</strong> ‘other’(generally metropolitan) locations (Table 1).On a sect<strong>or</strong>al basis, we can point to a certainlevel <strong>of</strong> local specialization (Table 1). Thus, firmsin the Tel Aviv area would seem to be concentratedin the electronics and s<strong>of</strong>tware sect<strong>or</strong>s while theRehovot area is characterized by a large collection<strong>of</strong> biotechnology and chemical firms and Jerusalemby chemicals, electronics and electro-optics. Ineach location, the sect<strong>or</strong>al composition <strong>of</strong> on- and<strong>of</strong>f-park firms is very similar, as are their industrialand employment characteristics.The industrial and employment pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> thesurveyed firms is outlined in Table 2. As theaverage figures belie the imp<strong>or</strong>tance <strong>of</strong> the smallfirm sect<strong>or</strong> in the sample, the means f<strong>or</strong> this subgroupare presented separately. Small independentfirms f<strong>or</strong>m the vast maj<strong>or</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> the sample (65%<strong>of</strong> firms surveyed have less than 50 employees and67% are <strong>of</strong> independent ownership). In generalthey are younger and m<strong>or</strong>e technology intensivein terms <strong>of</strong> inputs (percentage <strong>of</strong> R&D employees,R&D expenditures etc.) but, as expected, lesscapital intensive and production <strong>or</strong>iented.In the present analysis, approximately 12% <strong>of</strong>responses were incomplete in one way <strong>or</strong> another,leaving a total <strong>of</strong> 142 usable responses. Theseprovided data relating to (a) firm characteristicsand (b) the characteristics <strong>of</strong> the entrepreneurs <strong>or</strong>managers <strong>of</strong> the firms surveyed. In most cases theowner-manager <strong>of</strong> the firm was interviewed. Failingthat, the data relate to the characteristics <strong>of</strong> theseni<strong>or</strong> company executive that responded to thequestionnaire. All the data used are categ<strong>or</strong>icaland the variables are defined in Table 3.Firm characteristics refer here to the firm’slocation, innovation level, location <strong>of</strong> main markets,level <strong>of</strong> interaction with university and spin<strong>of</strong>fantecedents. Entrepreneur/manager characteristicsdescribe the education level and w<strong>or</strong>k experience<strong>of</strong> the firm’s owner-manager and also theextent to which the entrepreneur <strong>or</strong> manager isengaged in production <strong>of</strong> products with which hehas pri<strong>or</strong> experience.In view <strong>of</strong> the relatively limited number ‘<strong>of</strong>observations and the prospect <strong>of</strong> empty cells whenusing n-dimensional cross-tabulations, the variablesabove have been coded into a minimal number <strong>of</strong>TABLE 1. Location and sect<strong>or</strong>al composition <strong>of</strong> firms surveyedn % % located % % % % optical % % Totalon chemicals and electrical and transp<strong>or</strong>tation and s<strong>of</strong>tware other<strong>science</strong> pharma- electronic equipment3 precision engineering’ branchespark ceuticals’ equipment* equipment’Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area 62 39.0 24.0 2.3 52.3 4.6 20.5 20.3 100(Herzliya, TA, Petach Tikva)Rehovot 36 22.0 91.0 39.3 35.1 10.7 10.7 3.6 100(Nes Ziona and Rehovot)Jerusalem 35 21.0 52.0 30.5 30.8 3.8 23.1 7.7 4.1 looelsewhere 29 18.0 15.8 45.3 4.5 2.3 12.4 19.7 looTOTAL 162 100‘Includes Israeli 3-digit SIC codes: 200 (basic chemicals), 201 (pharmaceuticals), 204 & 205 (paints, varnishes, insecticides, fungicides).-‘Includes Israeli 3digit SIC codes: 250 (electrical mot<strong>or</strong>s, transf<strong>or</strong>mers), 251 (electrical equipment), 255 & 256 (communications equipment, electronicequipment f<strong>or</strong> control, scientific and medical uses).‘Includes Israeli Migit SIC codes: 262 & 263 (aircraft parts and Sight control equipment).‘Includes Israeli 3-digit SIC codes: 280 & 2SfJ (scientific measuring and controlling instruments, optical instruments and photographic equipment).51ncludes Israeli 3-digit SIC codes: 733 & 738 (data processing and research consultancies).100 Technovation Vol. 14 No. 2
Science <strong>parks</strong> - seedbeds <strong>or</strong> enclaves <strong>of</strong> innovation?TABLE 2. Industrial and employment characteristics <strong>of</strong> surveyed firmsage <strong>of</strong> 8rm (years)no. <strong>of</strong> employees% academics% technicians% skilled labour% non-skilled labour% female labour% R&D employees% productionFirm characteristics(alI firms)revenue per employee (ThS)% exp<strong>or</strong>tscapital stock per employee (ThS)wages as % total expenditureraw materials as % total expenditureR&D expenditure as % <strong>of</strong> salesN Mean C.V.’ Mean <strong>of</strong> smaUfirms (
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