Role of Universities in Contributing Towards Science and Technology Park Development: A Framework of Critical Success Factors - Technopolis: Best Practices for Science and Technology Cities - page 295

basic research institutes with relatively few high-tech production firms. In order to
spur economic development and promote technology diversification, thereby
bringing about technopolis growth, three factors have been identified as particu-
larly important (Smilor et al. 1987 ).
1. The achievement of scientific pre-eminence. This entails amongst other factors
quality of R&D outputs including contracts and grants, membership of faculty
and researchers in eminent organisations of a scientific nature, etc.
2. The development and maintenance of new technologies for emerging indus-
tries. Thus, providing the basis for competitive companies in a global economy
thereby laying the basis for economic growth. The industries may be in areas of
biotechnology, artificial intelligence, new materials, ICTs, etc. Key in this
factor is the commercialisation of university IPs which can then be measured.
3. The attraction of major technology companies and the creation of home-grown
technology companies. This factor calls for economic development and tech-
nological diversification within the technopolis.
Dr. Fred Phillips (ex Austin, Texas) of the Maastricht School of Management
((Netherlands) (Phillips 2005 ), an acknowledged authority and experienced expert
on the Technopolis phenomenon in the US and Europe, has postulated that
Technopolis regions grow by:
• Attracting new companies.
• Nurturing existing indigenous firms.
• Encouraging entrepreneurial start-ups.
• Providing a supportive educational, social, tax, quality-of-life and cultural
context for research, technology entrepreneurship and business.
• Networking with other Technopolis worldwide.
Dr. Phillips has also listed the following Technopolis Success Factors:
• Embracing Change.
• Social Capital, especially with cross-sectoral links.
• Cluster strategies that target specific company groups for collaboration.
• Visionary and persistent leadership.
• The will to action.
• Action.
• Constant selling.
• Self-investment in infrastructure.
• Outreach and networking.
From these observations and experiences, we can conclude that in addition to
Dr. Fred Phillips' recently identified nine Technopolis success factors, William
Gartner's 44 perennial ten ingredients that are pre-requisite for Technopolis cre-
ation still hold true: (1) suitable financing, (2) availability of a competent work-
force, (3) accessibility to helpful suppliers, (4) government support or absence of
obstacles, (5) proximity of universities to assist in research, (6) availability of land