Abstract/Summary

Purpose – This paper examines the role played by business cluster ecosystems and intellectual capital in achieving high growth firm (HGF) status. Design/methodology/approach – We draw our insights from the knowledge-based perspective and economic geography as theoretical lens, which combined offers a more unifying understanding of how business cluster ecosystems and intellectual capital foster high growth entrepreneurship. Findings – Drawing on a sample of 11,360 German incorporated firms across 80 clusters over the period 2010-2013, we find that cluster ecosystems play a significant role in supporting firms to become high-growth firms. More specifically, being located in business clusters increases the likelihood of becoming high growth firms (HGFs) by 2.2 percent - 4.49 percent. We also find that clusters with more productive firms in the ecosystems provide favourable conditions for member firms to achieve HGF status, while the impact of other cluster-specific conditions (High-tech cluster membership and MNE share in clusters) are less clear. Additional insights suggest that firm intellectual capital (investments in intangible assets) enables firms to achieve high growth status. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this paper hold theoretical and managerial relevance and shed more light on the impact of cluster-specific factors in the ecosystems and firm intellectual capital in achieving high growth entrepreneurship. Originality/value – This paper is among the first of its kind to bring together three distinct literatures (HGFs, business clusters and intellectual capital) and utilize insights from each to derive a conceptual framework that links them in explaining high growth entrepreneurship. Keywords - Business Cluster; Ecosystems; Intellectual capital, High growth firms; Germany Paper type Research paper