A place for R & D? The Singapore science park

Abstract

In the context of the globalisation of R&D activities, many urban and regional economies have attempted to create specific places in the hope of developing and embedding these activities. In this paper, it is argued that it is insufficient for such places to provide just physical infrastructure and investment benefits. Understanding actor-specific strategies and their enrolment in innovation networks and enabling institutional pre-conditions are equally important in embedding R&D activities. Based on a study of one such place-the Singapore Science Park-this paper explores the realities of science park formation. It is found that adequate institutional thickness and local embeddedness apply only to a small number of R&D firms in the Park. The paper also examines the myth that spatial proximity to R&D institutions and organisations automatically results in collaborative R&D efforts. The study shows that, for science parks to be more than a form of glorified property development, there is an urgent need for a fundamental transformation in the prevailing thinking of economic planning, R&D policies and urban development.