Publication Type

PhD Dissertation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

8-2024

Abstract

In the era of the digital economy, industries are shifting toward platform-based and ecological trends, with industrial parks similarly adopting digital and platform-based patterns. The systematic planning, functional layout, and service efficiency of science and technology industrial parks (sci-tech industrial parks for short) are designed to address emerging industries’ spatial and organizational needs. This approach aims to create a system where digital transformation is employed as the mechanism and digital platforms empower entrepreneurial enterprises within these parks, fostering high-quality park development. However, despite efforts to build digital platforms for transforming into digital parks, many industrial parks have found their platform functions limited, failing to truly empower entrepreneurial enterprises with innovative capabilities. There is a need for in-depth research on the empowerment mechanisms of digital platforms.

Based on a literature review, this paper identifies that while the digital transformation of industrial parks is acknowledged as the future direction, the connotations, dimensions, mechanisms, and boundary conditions of the digital platform capability system have not been systematically explored. Thus, a pressing question emerges: How can sci-tech industrial parks develop digital platform capabilities that genuinely empower entrepreneurial enterprises and promote their sustainable development? To address this, the study focuses on the core question of “how to build digital platform capabilities for sci-tech industrial parks to empower entrepreneurship of enterprises in the parks,” and explores three specific sub-questions: (1) What digital platform capabilities should be developed for sci-tech industrial parks? (2) How can these digital platform capabilities empower entrepreneurial enterprises in the parks? (3) How do the basic standardized management systems impact the empowerment of digital platform capabilities on entrepreneurial enterprises in industrial parks?

To answer these questions, the study employs literature analysis, case studies, and empirical tests. Initially, it refines the connotation and dimensions of the digital platform capability system through literature analysis and case studies. It then examines the mechanisms by which digital platform capabilities influence entrepreneurship empowerment performance, proposing a preliminary analytical framework. Based on case studies, this study proposes, tests, and discusses a theoretical model exploring the relationship between digital platform capabilities, basic standardized systems, and entrepreneurship empowerment performance. The following four conclusions are drawn:

(1) Through a longitudinal single-case study, it is identified that sci-tech industrial parks’ digital platform capabilities comprise platform complementarity capability and platform integration capability. Platform complementarity capability focuses on building a platform ecosystem from a “chain” perspective, while platform integration capability emphasizes integrating and establishing a total-factor service system from the platform owner management perspective. By reconstructing resources, these capabilities provide entrepreneurial enterprises with dedicated industrial and platform services tailored to their needs.

(2) Case studies and empirical tests indicate that digital platform capabilities facilitate entrepreneurial enterprises in accessing complementary resources, offering them professional and platform services, thus enhancing both direct and indirect entrepreneurship empowerment performance. The integration and complementarity capabilities of digital platforms mutually reinforce each other, further boosting entrepreneurship empowerment performance.

(3) Empirical tests reveal that basic standardized management systems significantly enhance the empowerment of digital platform capabilities for entrepreneurial enterprises. These systems comprise a project-based operating system and a collaboration ecosystem. Building a professional and continuous project-based operating system will strengthen the connection between entrepreneurial enterprises and digital platforms. Meanwhile, building a collaboration ecosystem that spans across industries and regions will deepen and broaden the interaction between entrepreneurial enterprises and complementary parties. Therefore, digital platform capabilities show positive effects on entrepreneurial enterprises.

(4) Through comparative research and an overview, an empowerment performance evaluation system is constructed. The study proposes that entrepreneurship empowerment performance encompasses two dimensions: direct entrepreneurship empowerment performance and indirect entrepreneurship empowerment performance. The former is reflected by traditional indicators such as growth, profitability, and innovation of entrepreneurial enterprises, while the latter focuses on the service efficiency of industrial parks during the entrepreneurial process. The evaluation system combines financial and non-financial indicators, as well as subjective and objective indicators, to provide a comprehensive assessment of entrepreneurship empowerment performance. It is expected to engage with the supervisor throughout the research process to further stimulate the efficiency of empowering entrepreneurship services and thus ensure the long-term sustainable development of industrial parks.

This study yields significant theoretical contributions and practical implications.

(1) Contribution to research on digital platform capabilities and digital industrial park platform capability: By integrating the theoretical foundations of digital platforms and digital industrial park capability systems, this study identifies the digital platform complementarity capability and platform integration capability as two dimensions of platform capability for sci-tech industrial parks from the perspectives of platform resource factors and platform enterprise management, leading to the construction of digital platform capability systems.

(2) Contribution to research on the empowerment of digital industrial parks: The study highlights the use of digital platforms as the core medium for empowering entrepreneurial enterprises in industrial parks. It analyzes the mechanisms through which digital platform capabilities impact entrepreneurship empowerment performance, identifies and tests the basic standardized systems as a key moderating variable, and constructs a performance evaluation system that includes both direct and indirect entrepreneurship empowerment.

(3) Contribution to the paths and models for the transformation of sci-tech industrial parks: From an operational management perspective, this study suggests that digital empowerment platforms can significantly enhance the intelligent level of park management, providing managers with accurate and timely decision support. From a platform operation perspective, it is proposed that digital platforms should enable centralized resource management and efficient resource allocation, forming a robust industrial chain and ecosystem to attract outstanding enterprises to the park. From a park services perspective, digital platforms can offer efficient and precise data support, better insights into market dynamics, optimized decision-making processes, and support for innovative industry development. From a government support perspective, digital empowerment platforms can integrate information technology and data resources and enable real-time park monitoring, aiding governments in achieving refined and intelligent park management. These platforms can aggregate various production factors and resources, provide one-stop government-oriented services, optimize resource allocation, and enhance service efficiency. They can also offer services such as technology transfer, financial support, and market promotion, provide support in all aspects, reduce entrepreneurial costs, stimulate innovation, and foster communication and cooperation among stakeholders, thus fostering a joint force to drive development.

Keywords

science and technology industrial park, digital platform capability, entrepreneurship empowerment, basic standardized system, empowerment performance

Degree Awarded

Doctor of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance)

Discipline

Accounting | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Supervisor(s)

HUANG, Sterling Zhenrui

First Page

1

Last Page

200

Publisher

Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Copyright Owner and License

Author

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