Social Capital in the University-based Innovation Ecosystem in the Leading Life Science Clusters. Implications for Poland

Abstract

The present monograph contributes to the emerging debate on the topic of innovation ecosystems by delivering new insights into and knowledge of the role of social capital, social networks and collaborative social environments in the successful life sciences innovation ecosystems. The authors applied a qualitative interview and direct observation methods which allowed to better understand the complex nature of the life sciences university ecosystem and more importantly, the process of social networking within it. The research study covered several well-established life sciences university-based ecosystems in the European Union and the United States. For the purpose of comparison, the study also considers Poland’s emerging life sciences sector. It is expected that the research findings, along with the recombination of the relevant subject literature and other collected empirical evidence, will make it possible to contribute to the development of strategies and policy measures to further unlock the innovation potential of the emerging life sciences sector in Poland.