A dynamic view on interactions between academic spin-offs and their parent organizations

• We study interaction patterns of spin-offs and their parents over the mid- to long-term period.
• We identify four distinct types of interaction patterns.
• Patterns correspond to a linear or a co-production model of innovation or a succession of both.
• Changes in interaction intensity depend on dynamics, internal or external to the pair.
• We provide conclusions for management of spin-off processes and support policies.

Literature on academic spin-offs gives evidence of different modes of interaction between spin-offs and their parent and their relative role in different modes of knowledge production. In this article, we examine the development of interactions between academic spin-offs and their parent organizations over a mid- to long-term period (4–15 years), drawing on a series of 25 case studies of spin-off/parent pairs from France and Switzerland. We show that the relational trajectories can be captured by four major dynamic patterns. These patterns range from an early cut-off of interactions in line with a linear model of innovation to sustained interactions supporting joint production of knowledge. Some patterns even include a change in the mode of knowledge production over time. In addition, we identify a number of determinants, internal or external to the pair, affecting the dynamic pattern. We conclude that management of spin-off processes and support policies for academic spin-offs should embrace this dynamic diversity.