Research Projects
Academic Entrepreneurship in Asia (Newly Released Publication)
Edward Elgar has recently released this timely volume, documenting the findings from a two-year research project coordinated by NEC. This book examines the rising phenomenon of academic entrepreneurship and technology commercialization among leading universities in Asia.
Links to purchase:
Intellectual Rights in the Digital Convergence Space
The rapid development of digital technology in recent years, particularly quantum advancements in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with the advent of the Internet as an enabler, has driven the phenomenon of Digital Convergence globally. This growing phenomenon presents opportunities for the creation of a regional hub providing professional IP services for the range of technologies and spin-off activities arising from convergence. This project aims to identify the issues and opportunities arising from the growth of Digital Media and to assess the development of IP hub services in Singapore.
The Role and Impact of Universities in a National Innovation System
This project examines how selected universities in Asia approach academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer activities. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan approved a grant for NEC to lead and co-ordinate this 2-year collaborative research project involving 13 research-intensive universities from 9 Asian economies (Japan, China, India, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore). Under this project, researchers from major universities in Asia examine the emerging role of universities in their national and regional innovation systems.
The report, comprising chapters on the experiences of 13 leading universities in Asia, has been published in book form by Edward Elgar. More details may be found here.
Asia Pacific Intellectual Property Scorecard 2009
IP Academy (IPA) of Singapore has commissioned NEC to follow up on an earlier project which developed an annual Scorecard of IP performance among Asian nations and organisations. Modeled after MIT Technology Review’s annual global ranking of leading patenting organisations in the world (now published by The Patents Board), the original Scorecard project focused on Asia and developed additional performance indicators. This follow-on project updates the previously constructed AsiaPac IP Scorecard with patents granted by the USPTO and EPO up to June 30th 2009. The scorecard ranks the leading patent producing economies and provides insights into the trends of IP creation and quality in the Asia Pacific Region.
Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2011 Singapore Study
NEC led and coordinated Singapore’s participation in the 2008 edition of this international benchmarking study on students’ entrepreneurial spirit, involving 19 countries. The 2011 study is again being coordinated by NEC in partnership with the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) of SPRING Singapore. The biennial study is globally coordinated by the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and aims to identify the role and impact of personality-oriented characteristics and university influences on the founding processes and intentions of collegiate entrepreneurs.
Evaluation of Exploit Technologies IP and Technology Transfer Services
Exploit Technologies (EPTL) of A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) engaged NEC to conduct a study in order to better understand the needs, concerns and priorities of ETPL’s two main customer groups: researchers at the A*STAR public research institutes; and licensees who have licensed IP owned by A*STAR or who have evaluated such IP for the purpose of licensing. In this project, the two customer groups were separately surveyed using self-administered structured questionnaires. Findings from the surveys were used to evaluate the level of satisfaction with ETPL’s services and the perceived impact and effectiveness of its programs, as well as to identify areas of potential improvement in ETPL’s service provision to its customer groups.
Study on High Growth Firms in Singapore
NEC has been commissioned by the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) to conduct a study on high-growth firms in Singapore with a special focus on SMEs. The project aims to understand the landscape of such firms in Singapore, and how they have developed over time. In addition, the project seeks to gain a better understanding of the profile of founders / senior management of high-growth firms and the management and strategic processes they employ. The study involves collation of secondary data, a firm-level survey, and face-to-face interviews with selected firms. Findings from the study will be used to identify factors which may distinguish high-growth firms and contribute to their success, as well as to identify potential policy measures for fostering and sustaining successful, high-impact entrepreneurial firms.
Study on High-Tech Start-ups in Singapore
The National Research Foundation (NRF) engaged NEC to conduct a study examining the state of high-technology start-ups in Singapore. The project aimed to understand the landscape of such firms in Singapore and examine the effectiveness of government policies on high-tech start-ups, in order to identify ways to improve the rates of survival, growth and successful exits of high-tech start-ups. The study involved collation of secondary data, a survey of high-tech start-ups and mini-cases of selected startups. Findings from the study were used to understand the factors that drive the development of high-tech start-ups through different growth stages and possible inhibitors or barriers to growth.
Do co-publications with industry lead to higher university technology commercialization activities?
Title: Do co-publications with industry lead to higher university technology commercialization activities?
Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between university-industry R&D collaboration and university technology commercialization by investigating the extent to which the latter may be influenced by the involvement of the universities in research collaboration with industry, as evidenced by their propensity to generate co-publications with industry.
Authors: Wong, P.K. and Singh, A.A.
Publication: To be presented at the 2011 International Technology Management Conference, California, June 2011
Entrepreneurial Firm Formation and Income Inequality in Nations: A Cross-Economy Analysis
Title: Entrepreneurial Firm Formation and Income Inequality in Nations: A Cross-Economy Analysis.
Abstract: While the contribution of entrepreneurship to economic growth has been well researched in recent years, its effect on income distribution has been less well-studied. This examines the cross-sectional relationship between different measures of national entrepreneurial propensity and national income inequality, using recently-released datasets from UNU/WIDER, GEM and World Bank. The findings unify the conflicting results for developing and advanced economies in the prior literature, and have clear implications for development policies.
Publication: Presented at the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Research Consortium (GERC) Conference, London, October 2010, submitted to Small Business Economics Journal.
Authors: Wong, P.K. and Ho, Y.P.
Home-base-exploiting vs home-base-augmenting strategies of foreign R&D by US electronics firms
Title: Home-base-exploiting vs home-base-augmenting strategies of foreign R&D by US electronics firms
Abstract: This exploratory paper uses US patents to investigate the R&D locational strategies of the top patenting US electronics companies over 1976-2005, with a focus on non-Japan Asia. Our analysis suggests that home-base-exploiting R&D remains the dominant R&D strategy for US electronics firms in Asia, but there is a trend towards more HBA R&D in Korea and Taiwan in recent years. Policy implications for the host economies in Asia are discussed.
Publication: Invited for submission to the Special issue of IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management on “Hybrid innovation management and global corporations.”
Authors: Wong, P.K. and Singh, A.
Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation, Institutional Capital, and Firm Performance: The Evidence from China
Title: Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation, Institutional Capital, and Firm Performance: The Evidence from China
Abstract: Recent Institution-Based View (IBV) strategy literature suggests that institutional capital may be an important resource that affects firm performance, particularly in emerging economies. In this paper, we examine how a firm’s institutional capital may moderate the relationship between its innovation and sales performance. Overall, our findings contribute to both the IBV and innovation strategy literature by providing a better understanding of the interdependent relationship between investment in institutional capital and innovation.
Publication: Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management 2010, Montreal, August 2010.
Authors: Zhang, J., Wong, P.K. and Ho, Y.P.
Knowledge flows of innovation in small open economies – comparative analysis of Ireland & Singapore
Title: Knowledge flows of innovation in small open economies – comparative analysis of Ireland and Singapore
Abstract: This paper uses patents data to investigate the sources of knowledge for innovation output in two small and highly open economies, namely Ireland and Singapore. The growth of both of these economies and their national innovation systems have depended significantly on foreign multinational corporations (MNCs). Our focus is on the pattern of knowledge sources for Irish and Singaporean organizations and how this has changed over time.
Publication: Paper presented at the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference, November 3-4, London.
Authors: Dundas-Hewitt, N., Singh, A.A., Ho, Y.P. and Wong, P.K. (2010)
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Singapore Reports 2001 - 2006
Title: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Singapore Reports 2001-2006
Abstract: These reports present the findings of the GEM Singapore project conducted by NEC between 2001 and 2006.
Publication: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor website
Authors: Wong, P.K., Lee, L., Ho Y.P. and Wong, F.
Download link: http://www.gemconsortium.org/files.aspx?Ca_ID=124
Entrepreneurial intentions: The influence of organizational and individual factors
Title: Entrepreneurial intentions: The influence of organizational and individual factors
Abstract: An individual’s intent to pursue and entrepreneurial career can result from the work environment and from personal factors. This paper examines why individuals intend to leave their jobs to start business venture. Findings, using a sample of 4192 IT professionals in Singapore, suggest that work environments with an unfavourable innovation climate and/or lack of technical excellence incentives influence entrepreneurial intentions through low job satisfaction.
Publication: Journal of Business Venturing vol. 26 (2011)
Authors: Lee, L., Wong, P.K., Foo, M.D. and Leung, A.
University Patenting Activities and Their Link to the Quantity and Quality of Scientific Publications
Title: University Patenting Activities and Their Link to the Quantity and Quality of Scientific Publications.
Abstract: Integrating data from three independent data sources – USPTO patenting data, Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and the Times Higher Education Supplement’s World University Ranking (WUR), this paper examines the possible link between patenting output and the quantity and quality of scientific publications among 281 leading universities world-wide.
Publication: Scientometrics vol 83 no 1 (April 2010)
Authors: Wong, P.K. and Singh, A.
Industrial Cluster Development and Innovation in Singapore
Title: Industrial Cluster Development and Innovation in Singapore.
Abstract: Two emerging technology clusters in Singapore, the biomedical cluster and the off-shore engineering cluster, are studied. The contrasting strategic approaches in the two clusters highlight key challenges and relevant policy implications for promoting university-industry linkages at different stages of industry development.
Publication: M. Tsuji and A Kuchiki (eds), From Agglomeration to Innovation: Upgrading Industrial Clusters in Emerging Economies. New York: Palgrave-MacMillan (December 2009)
Authors: Wong, P.K., Ho, Y.P. and Singh, A.A.
Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2008 Singapore Report & Presentation
Title: Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2008 Singapore Report & Presentation
Abstract: This report presents the key findings from a survey of students in Singapore IHLs, part of an international benchmarking study on students’ entrepreneurial spirit, involving 19 countries in 2008. A total of 2,319 students from all three public universities and five polytechnics participated in the 2008 Singapore survey.
Publication: Project report published by NUS Entrepreneurship Centre.
Authors: Lee, L., Ho, Y.P and Wong, P.K. (2010).
Downloadable files: GUESSS Report and GUESSS Presentation
The Impact of R&D on the Singapore Economy: An Empirical Evaluation
Title: The Impact of R&D on the Singapore Economy: An Empirical Evaluation.
Abstract: This paper provides empirical estimates of the impact of R&D on economic growth in Singapore. The Cobb-Douglas based analysis found empirical evidence that R&D investment had a significant impact on total factor productivity performance in the last 20 years and established a long-term equilibrium relationship between R&D investments and TFP. However, compared to OECD countries, the impact of R&D on growth in Singapore is not as strong.
Publication: The Singapore Economic Review, 54(1): 1-20 (2009)
Authors: Ho, Y.P., Wong, P.K. and Toh, M.H.
A comparison of technology start-ups in Singapore and Sweden
Title: Is an enterprise framework necessary for an entrepreneurial university? A comparison of technology start-ups in Singapore and Sweden.
Abstract: Applying information from a series of university technology start-ups, this study found that in Singapore, the enterprise framework adds value in fundraising, reputation enhancement and developing linkages with government and industry. In Swedish counterparts sought direct assistance without an embedded enterprise system.
Publication: Science and Public Policy 35(9): 647-656 (December 2008)
Authors: Leong, B.L., Wee, A.K.S. and Ho, Y.P.
Global Talent Index Project (GTI)
NEC was selected as the Singapore partner in this international comparative research project to develop a Global Talent Index for Science & Technology manpower. The pilot project was coordinated and funded by the Neil D. Levin Institute of International Relations and Commerce, the State University of New York (SUNY), with funding support by IBM. The Singapore study analyzed trends and developments in Singapore’s pool of S&T talent from both demand (employment) and supply (graduates from local institutes of education) perspectives.
Silicon Valley-Asia Entrepreneurship Links
This is a collaboration project between NEC, Stanford Technology Venture Programme (STVP) and Stanford Project on Regions of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SPRIE) at Stanford University, with the support of Majulah Connection. This multi-year research project was carried out to gain deeper understanding of how entrepreneurial links are being forged and strengthened between Silicon Valley and selected innovative regions in Asia. A major focus of the study was on how prominent Silicon Valley-based Asian entrepreneurs are contributing to the transformation of the entrepreneurial landscape in Asia, through various emerging roles such as returnee entrepreneurs/investors, architects of bi-locational ventures that span Asia and Silicon Valley, mentors of new ventures from Asia, and social entrepreneurs that pioneer socio-economic changes in their homeland.
Participate in the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2011
GUESSS is an international research project investigating the entrepreneurial activities and intention of university students. GUESSS Singapore 2011 is sponsored and supported by the Action Community for Entrepreneurship and SPRING Singapore.
We thank all NUS students who participated in the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS) 2011. The project has been completed and the report is being finalized.