Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The project investigates the extent, nature and importance of technological, information and other linkages between firms themselves and between firms, research institutions and other private and public sector bodies in the Cambridge and Oxford regions and addresses the question of how far these territorial clusters reflect the core characteristics of an 'innovative milieu', that is, a form of networking characterised both by vertical subcontracting chains and horizontal linkages with the providers of financial, technical, fashion, design, marketing and training services and advice.

Main Topics:

This dataset was created from face to face interviews using a stratified random sample drawn from two databases of high-technology firms in the Cambridge and Oxford regions, with data from the Cambridgeshire County Council's Research Group, Oxford Trust and British Telecom. The dataset consists of 100 high-technology firms, 50 from each region, using a detailed semi-structured questionnaire devised in consultation with a Business Users Group established by the project and including experts such as the Director of the St John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge. Prior to the interview the participants were sent a pre-interview fact sheet, which they were asked to complete. The questionnaire covered the following topics: general characteristics, origins and entrepreneurship; Cambridge/Oxford as a high-tech location; growth and acquisitions; innovation activity; links with the university and research institutions; inter-firm networks; and scale and networking. The pre-interview fact sheet covered questions on the firm, the workforce and trade.

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

Face-to-face interview

Self-completion