New technology-based firms and their survival: The importance of business networks, and entrepreneurial business behaviour and competition

Abstract

This longitudinal study identifies two core business dimensions important for New Technology-Based Firm (NTBF) survival. These business dimensions are business networks, and entrepreneurial business behaviour and competition. Data was collected from 131 small high-technology firms located in incubators initially in 2005, when most were almost three years old, and again in 2014. A factor analysis was conducted using 17 variables, and a correlation analysis was then performed. Four control variables were also included in the analysis to separate the performance that was due to the firm and the performance that was due to the incubators. Further, three latent variables were developed from the two business dimensions. The findings from this study confirm the importance of business networks and explain how the behaviour and competition of NTBFs during their initial three years may impact firm survival. The latent variables of business and patent advice also had a significant relationship with firm survival.