Towards a first spin-off typology and a new concept for corporate spin-off research

摘要

Corporate spin-offs combine the rapid growth of new firms with a considerably lower failure rate than other types of start-ups. Lately, their special characteristics have received growing interest, especially with regard to corporate strategy, entrepreneurship and their role within the innovation system. However, literature on spin-offs is sparse and heterogeneous and a common typology is still missing. Up to now, corporate spin-offs have been analysed with rather focused approaches that did not take into account their wide range of characteristics. This paper presents the results of an extensive literature review of corporate spin-offs. It establishes a typology of existing definitions of all spin-off types and presents a comprehensive framework for the investigation of the factors affecting corporate spin-offs. Managers, policymakers and scientists can use the typology and the framework of factors for embedding spin-off phenomena into their full scope, understand the process of their creation and develop successful spin-off strategies. Further, this article can provide a source of inspiration for the development of new research approaches and policies not only directed at spin-offs but all sorts of entrepreneurial activities.