Academic spin-offs and their exogenous determinants: a systematic review of recent literature

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to analyze the recent evolution of research on academic spin-offs, intending to identify the main exogenous factors that affect their creation, dissemination and performance. The method adopted was a systematic literature review, by consulting four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and SciELO, from 2016 to 2020. In the first moment, the temporal evolution, the methodological strategy, the geographic location and the dimension/level of analysis adopted in all the publications surveyed were evaluated. In the second moment, the environmental/institutional level research was selected and analyzed according to its analytical approach. The results indicate a growing, but relatively low number of publications, concentrated in a few countries, with heterogeneity of empirical results and explanatory lines. This reflects a research program still in consolidation. Finally, we point out the main exogenous determinants detected in the literature and some implications for further research, mainly focused on emerging and developing countries.

KEYWORDS
Academic spin-offs; University spin-offs; Literature review