Public policy measures to support new technology-based firms in the European Union

This paper provides a review of public policy measures implemented in EU countries to support New Technology-Based Firms (NTBFs) during the 1980s and early 1990s. It identifies five policy areas and provides a synthesis of the policy developments during this period and an assessment of their effectiveness. The policy areas examined are: Science Parks; the Supply of PhDs in Science and Technology, the relationships between NTBFs and Universities/Research Institutions; Direct Financial Support to NTBFs from National Governments: and the Impact of Technological Advisory Services on NTBFs. Although considered independently, these issues are clearly part of an interdependent 'system' of policies and we conclude with an overview of the whole policy area, together with our personal recommendations for its improvement. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.