FEATURE
PAPER
Re-visiting
The "Molecular Biology" of Regional Innovation
Systems: Cometing Models of Technology Development
The
following paper was witten by Malin Brännback of Åbo
Akademi University, Norris Krueger Jr. of Entrepreneurship
Northwest, Alan Carsrud of Florida International University,
and Jenny Elfving and was presented
at the
2008 United
States Association for Small Business and
Entrepreneurship (USASBE)
.
Abstract
Metaphors
matter. Conventional wisdom argues that best practices in
developing
a regional innovation system dictate a bottom-up
focus that emphasizes innovators and entrepreneurs, yet we
see considerable resources deployed in top-down approaches
that
emphasize institutional actors. The rise of a potent metaphor,
the “Triple Helix” has
contributed this seeming disconnect. We argue here for a more
bottom-up Double Helix model by re-visiting a larger qualitative
study aimed at developing a regional innovation system in Scandinavia
to increase growth venture development, one that has chosen
an approach more consistent with the “triple helix” metaphor. Results
based on in-depth interviews show that entrepreneurs and potential
innovators (scientists and researchers) feel
excluded, or even avoid, involvement with governmental actors.
Technology-based business concepts are not emerging and new
firms are not being created. The study questions the existing
top-down Triple Helix model of innovation systems as, by necessity,
it discards the entrepreneurs, as opposed to the competing
model, a true bottom-up (or supervenient) double helix model.
Read
the Entire Paper...
TIP
OF THE WEEK
The Twelve Worst Franchise Agreement Provisions
1. Gag Rules. Some franchise agreements prohibit franchisees
from discussing any aspect of their franchise experience
with anyone outside the system. This defeats the FTC and
other state disclosure laws.
2. Franchisor
Venue Provisions. These provisions require franchise disputes
to be litigated or arbitrated in
the home state of
the franchisor. This dramatically increases costs for
the franchisee.
3. Lack
of Reciprocal Cure Periods. Many franchise agreements give
the franchisor 30, 60, 90 days to cure any alleged
defaults; some even do not allow the franchisee any
remedy if the franchisor
defaults.
4. Non-reciprocal
Non-competition. Many franchise agreements have oppressive
post-term non-competition covenants,
both in terms of duration and geographical scope.
At the same time,
many franchise agreements allow the franchisor to
place competing units pretty much where they want.
5. Sole
Sourcing Requirements. Many product-oriented franchise systems
require franchisee to purchase
products solely from
the franchisor or from suppliers designated by
the franchisor. No allowance is given to purchase fro
alternate sources
even if quality standards are upheld.
6. Mandatory
Subleases with Rent Overrides. Many franchise systems require
the franchisee to sublease
the franchised
premises from the franchisor who has in turn
leased the premises from
the landlord. This places the franchisor in the
real estate business and able to a net profit
essentially without risk.
In addition, the fact of these overrides and
the amount of them are rarely disclosed in franchise
offering
circulars.
7. Lack
of Accountability of Advertising Fund. Some franchise agreements
are drawn in a manner
to give
the franchisor
complete control over the use of advertising
funds, allowing franchisors
to not spend advertising dollars in the market
where franchisees have contributed to ad funds.
8. Lack
of reciprocal Legal Fee Provisions. Many franchise agreements
require the franchisee
to
pay all of the
franchisor’s
legal expenses in the event of litigation
between the parties. However, if the franchisee
wins the litigation, the franchise
agreement does not provide for legal fees.
9. Kickbacks.
Some franchise agreements openly acknowledge that the franchisor
has the
right to make deals with
vendors who sell goods and services to
franchisees that are mandated
by the franchise agreement. Very often,
these vendors provide kickbacks, promotional fees,
and commissions
to the franchisor
in return for being allowed to sell their
products and services to a captive market.
10. Mandatory
Arbitration Provisions. While arbitration is faster and presumably
cheaper, it has major
disadvantages to
franchisees. Arbitration is private,
with the resulting decisions not creating any
precedents
to product
future franchisees.
11. Radically
Different Franchise Agreements on Renewal. Many franchisees
find that
when it is
time to renew,
they are not
really renewing their existing franchise
agreement, but entering into a wholly
new franchise agreement,
often
with materially
different financial and operational
terms.
12. Unilateral
Amendments to the Franchise Agreements. Many franchise agreements
provide that the franchisor
can change
its operations manual or other company
policies without notice to or with
the consent of
the franchisee.
What Business Should I Start? Pg 184
Copyright 2004 by Rhonda Abrams & published by The
Planning Shop.
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
National
Urban Inititiatives Competition
Clark University
is hosting the National Urban Inititiatives Competition.
They are seeking proposals that have practicality, creativity,
and are well rooted in theory. Proposals should trnslate
from theor to model or vice versa. Furthermore, it should
be feasible to enact into legislation.
An award of $20,000 will be given to each winner of the three categories:
1. Affordable and
sustainable housing.
2. Neighborhood based
economic development.
3. Financial services
to low income communities.
All applicants must
be from a institution of higher education and must team with
one or more of a local government entity and/or non-profit
organization.
Submission of Step
1 proposals are due January 25, 2008.
For more information
please click
here.
Discover Business!
Teen Camp
The Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies,
the University's Top 20-ranked entrepreneurship center, is
offering two one-week summer sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
daily. The skills learned at this camp can be applied to all
areas of life- in school, business and the world. For more
information click here.
The
$600, 000 Rice Business Plan
Your school will be able to compete in
the $600,000 Rice Business Plan. The competition is on April
3-5, 2008. The deadline to apply to compete is Friday, February
22, at 5:00 pm.
All
36 teams accepted are guaranteed to win cash prizes. Total
cash prizes equal $450,000, plus $150,000
in-kind prizes.Teams will present to a judging panel
of over 150 venture capitalists, angel investors, private
equity, and other business leaders.
The Texas Venture Capital Association annual meeting will
be held in conjunction with the Rice Competition. For more
infomation please click here.
DELL ICSB SMALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Your technology leadership could be worth up-to
$50,000 and national and international recognition!
If
you are or know of an owner, president, or chief executive
of a company with 100 employees or less that has driven a
significant change and/or developed a competitive advantage
in delivering
superior customer value and experience, we want to hear your
story. In addition, we want you to share customer testimonials
to show how technology has helped you improve customer relationships.
To
seek out and reward innovative small businesses for their
smart use of technology, Dell and the National
Federation
of Independent Business (NFIB) - one of America's leading
advocacy
organizations representing small and independent businesses
in Washington, D.C. and all 50 states - founded the Dell/NFIB
Small Business Excellence Award program in 2004.
Now
in its fifth year in the United States and fourth year in
Canada and Mexico, Dell is partnering, Endeavor, a
global non-profit supporting emerging market entrepreneurs,
and
the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and
their affiliates
including USASBE. ICSB has a mission to advance entrepreneurship
through global knowledge sharing and networking, to expand
the program internationally - additional countries participating
in the program will be announced in early 2008.
The
global and national awards honor small businesses that represent
the spirit of innovation in applying
information technology in their business practices
to improve the
customer
experience.
U.S. finalists will be announced in May 2008. Questions
about the Small Business Excellence Award can be sent
to SB_Award@dell.com.
For
more information please click here.
A New Addition to the SBANC Website
Just this week a
free video clip player was added. These clips are called “Daily Insight and Inspiration for Growing
Your Business” and are 1-4 minute videos that are updated
daily.
Go to home page
SBI
Journal - Request for Papers
The Small Business
Institue is now requesting papers for the Small Business
Institute Journal. If you are interested in submitting a
paper, please let us know. The first issue is to be printed
April 2008. For more information please click
here or email us at sbij@uca.edu.
|
