Networking for Knowledge Transfer : A concept on STPs’ international process for successful knowledge transfer

Abstract: Recognizing the importance of innovation, we see that entrepreneurship and its supporting ecosystem contributes to increased prosperity in society. We also understand that the entrepreneurial phenomenon increases in efficiency through internationalization. Within the international context, knowledge transfer can be complex and requires people of multicultural background for successful interpretation. Demanding abilities to code and decode the transferred knowledge and integrate it into practices, interactions and learning for successfully creating new knowledge as a result. Our purpose for this research was to emphasize and give clarity of the process from initiatives to internationalization to successfully transferring knowledge. Being master students in an entrepreneurial program and working with related projects in our worklife, we were accustomed to- and possessed necessary background information for the topic. This gave us abilities to contact and form interviews for various science and technology parks (STP). We were motivated to collect data through a qualitative study, interviewing STPs with practical insight measuring selected theories presented in our literature review. Our findings correlate the selected theories, and give impressions that networking platforms provided by government, universities and international organizations contribute significantly in connecting STPs to international players. We also record that the government’s position is crucial in providing infrastructure and financial support to STPs. Further the challenge of knowledge transfer is positively related to complementary interest and trust, which is better resolved through awareness of multicultural networks. Further research can be recommended to investigate the objectives of institutions in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, between and in relation to the tenants. For direct understanding of international activities, we would also like to propose a research measuring science and technology parks’ engagement for internationalization and the financial results of tenants within the same time period.