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The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship

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Abstract

According to the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship, the context in which decision-making is derived can influence one’s determination to become an entrepreneur. In particular, a context that is rich in knowledge generates entrepreneurial opportunities from those ideas. By commercializing ideas that evolved from an incumbent organization via the creation of a new firm, the entrepreneur (human capital) not only serves as a conduit for the spillover of knowledge, but also for the ensuing innovative activity and enhanced economic performance through resource allocation. The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship brings together contemporary theories and thoughts of entrepreneurship with prevailing theories of economic growth, geography, and strategy and therefore explains not just why some people choose to become an entrepreneur, but also why this matters significantly for the economy and society.

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Notes

  1. See Shane 2003; Braunerhjelm 2008; Casson and Wadeson 2007a, b; Buenstorf 2007; Ucbasaran et al. 2008; Arenius and De Clercq 2005; Arentz et al. 2012; McMullen et al. 2007; Gaglio and Katz 2001; Casson 2005a, b; Robson et al. 2012; Samuelsson and Davidsson 2009; Companys and McMullen 2007; Haynie et al. 2009.

  2. A large part of this observed patent inflation among universities and research laboratories is driven by changes in incentive structures by universities and inventors. The Bayle-Dhole Act in the United States or the Employment Invention Act 2002 in Germany, increased the incentives for the organization to increase the number of patent applications and patent licensing (Hülsbeck et al. 2013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

    Zoltan J. Acs

  2. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    David B. Audretsch

  3. Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, GBM & CCSE, Augsburg University, Universitätsstr. 16, 86159, Augsburg, Germany

    Erik E. Lehmann

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  1. Zoltan J. Acs
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  2. David B. Audretsch
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  3. Erik E. Lehmann
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Acs, Z.J., Audretsch, D.B. & Lehmann, E.E. The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship. Small Bus Econ 41, 757–774 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-013-9505-9

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