The role of science parks and business incubators in converging countries: Evidence from Portugal

Researchers and economic development professionals have linked the technology transfer and high-tech firm output from science parks (SP) and business incubators (BI) to economic growth, as well as job and wealth creation in developed and developing countries. Yet little has been said about their role in converging economies, such as Portugal. The authors analyse the population of the Portuguese SPs and BIs in promoting economic growth using the case study method. Further, the authors search for the success factors of Portuguese SPs and BIs. This initial study suggests a modest contribution of SPs and BIs to economic growth in Portugal. Moreover, our findings confirm university links and suitability of management to be critical to an SP or BI success in this converging economy. We also discuss how SPs and BIs might make better contributions to economic growth in converging economies.