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Determining Factors of Firm Survivability A Study
Determining Factors of Firm Survivability A Study
Determining Factors of Firm Survivability A Study
Nurul Indarti
Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
(nurulindarti@ugm.ac.id)
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, universities in many countries are encouraged to take their research products to the next
level by translating them into commercialized products to benefit society at large. In doing so, they
establish a firm, a so-called University Spin-Off (USO), which specializes in carrying out the mission.
A USO is a firm which is established to optimize or commercialize the Intellectual Property Rights
(IPRs) of the university. Previous studies into USOs, documented in the extant literature, have mainly
focused on investigating the initial process of the USOs’ establishment, such as the drivers to initiate
the USOs. Only a little attention has been paid to investigate the various drivers affecting the
development of the USOs. Studies into the survivability of USOs are relatively limited. The current
study is intended to fill this gap. Additionally, the findings are expected to add to the existing literature
on USOs, particularly in the context of developing countries. This study aims at identifying the factors
affecting the USOs’ survival. We used the resource-based view and contingency theory to identify and
understand the various factors (internal and external) that might affect a USO’s survivability. Data for
this study were collected through a survey. From the literature, we identified ten relevant factors for a
USO’s survivability and 41 items to operationalize them, which we then used to develop a
questionnaire. The factors are the USO’s business orientation, human resources’ reputation, product
innovation, business plan, business models’ innovation, social networks, export activities, capital
access, government support, and the business’s incubator. The data were collected from 111 USOs
established by 14 universities located in five big cities in Indonesia. The survey was conducted from
February until May 2017. Before performing the regression analysis, we deployed a factor analysis to
validate the instruments and found that all the 41 items were valid and fell into ten component factors.
The analysis found that there were only two factors which significantly affected the USO’s
survivability: Its human resources’ reputation and social networks. These findings lead us to a
conclusion that building a good reputation and maintaining its social networks are very important to
ensure the survivability of a USO.
Internal
1 Business Orientation Hakala (2013).
2 Human Resources’ Reputation Berbegal-Mirabent et al. (2015), Nicoló (2015).
3 Product Innovation Cefis and Marsili (2006), Löfsten (2016).
4 Business Planning Indarti and Langenberg (2004), Löfsten (2016).
5 Business Model Innovation Velu (2015).
6 Social Network Indarti and Langenberg (2004)
7 Export Activity Dzumashev, Mishra, and Smyth(2016).
8 Capital Access Furlan and Grandinetti (2014), Indarti and Langenberg (2004).
External
9 Government Support Payumo et al. (2014), Sørheim et al. (2011).
10 Business Incubators Mas-Verdú et al. (2015), Schwartz (2013).
Source: Compiled by authors
Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2018 145
determinant factors of firm survival (Bonn, (Wernerfelt, 1984; Barney, 1991, 2007). The
2000). Therefore, the variable of firm survival main focus of the RBT is on how a firm can
needs to be classified as a different variable from build a competitive advantage by exploiting its
the other outcomes. resources (Barney, 1991, 1995). In this case, a
The study of firm survival basically began firm’s resources are defined as all the assets,
with the evolutionary theory by Charles Darwin, capabilities, processes, organization, corporate
which explained the term survivability from the attributes, information and knowledge of the
perspective of biological science. Furthermore, firm (Barney, 1991, 2007).
Hannan and Freeman (1977) and Aldrich (1979) The RBT has its roots in three basic theories
borrowed this evolutionary theory by that are derived from both economic and non-
incorporating it into organizational studies, by economic disciplines (Barney, 2007). They are
adopting the survival discourses. The develop- the distinctive competency theory (Selznick,
ment of the theory is known as the evolutionary 1957), Ricardian economics (Ricardo, 1817),
theory of the firm. Firm survivability is defined and the theory of the firm growth (Penrose,
as the ability of a firm to survive (Naidoo, 2010). 1959). Furthermore, the RBT lies on two main
Most literature on firm survival lays more assumptions (Barney, 2007). First, firms are
emphasis on the specific perspectives1 that assumed to be a collection of productive
researchers use to understand how a firm can resources, where they have a diverse collection
survive (Bonn, 2000; Parry et al., 2012; Velu, of productive resources (Penrose, 1959). Second,
2015; Dzhumashev et al., 2016). For example, it is assumed that some existing resources of
Cefis and Marsili (2006) and Löfsten (2016) firms are very difficult to imitate. These two
used an innovation perspective to explain how a assumptions are known as resource
firm can survive. Alternatively, Mas-Verdú et al. heterogeneity and immobility.
(2015) used the perspective of business The RBT sees a firm as a set of unique
incubators to explain firm survival. Following resources and capabilities (idiosyncrasies),
those ideas, in this study we combined two where the main task of the firm is to maximize
perspectives: The Resource-Based Theory its value through the optimalization of its
(RBT) and the Contingency Theory (CT) to resources and capabilities (Amit & Schoemaker,
understand a firm’s survivability, which will be 1993). Resources are considered as an important
explained in the next section. The RBT places part and can become the basis for the firm to
more emphasis on the role of internal resources build its strategic formulation (Wernerfelt, 1984;
for USOs’ survivability, meanwhile the CT Grant, 1991).
focuses more on the role of external resources. Through RBT, every firm outcome, such as
high performance and survival, are believed to
2. Resource-based View on Firm
be the output of the firm’s resources and
Survivability
capabilities (Esteve-Pérez & Mañez-Castillejo,
From the literature on strategic management, the 2008), through the development of the firm’s
RBT has emerged as an effort to understand a competitive advantage (Barney, 2007). This
firm’s competitiveness from an internal belief is based on the emphasis by RBT on the
perspective (e.g. resources and capabilities) internal aspects of firms, which are their
resources and capabilities. In this case, resources
1
Perspective is interpreted as the constituent elements that
are framed to explain firm survival.
are seen as something owned or controlled by a
148 Sallatu and Indarti
firm (Amit & Schoemaker, 1993). Therefore, in produce optimum performance when applied in
RBT, firm survivability can be established when firms that face a static environment.
the firm has the necessary resources and The influence of environmental perspectives
capabilities (Esteve-Perez & Manez-Castillejo, in organizational analysis begin with the
2008). emergence of a systems approach (Scott, 1998).
The system approach is built on the idea that
3. Contingency Theory on Firm
organizations are essentially similar to
Survivability
organisms, that they are open to the influence of
At the end of 1950, the theory of organizational their surrounding environment (Scott, 2001). In
structure was dominated by the classical schools this case, the organization is regarded as an open
of thought (Taylor, 1911). In this case, it is seen system which consists of several interrelated
that there is one best way to manage all the sub-systems (Scott, 1998). The contingency
different types of organizations. In the 1960s, a theory also has the ultimate goal of survival or
new approach called the contingency theory growth (Woodward, 1965). Adopting ideas from
emerged, which argued that achieving an the concept of biological science (Darwinism),
organization’s best performance depends on the organization’s ultimate goal can only be
several external factors, rather than the internal achieved when there is a fit between the
structure of the organization (Burns & Stalker, organization and its environment (Donaldson,
1968). The contingency theory pays attention to 1995).
the impact of environmental factors on the In its development, the elaboration of the
effectiveness of organizational structures and contingency theory’s foundation is comple-
strategies, in order to achieve optimal perfor- mented by Lawrence and Lorsch in their book
mance (Woodward, 1965; Lawrence & Lorsch, Organization and Environment (1967).
1969). Lawrence and Lorsch (1969) constructed the
The history of the contingency theory begins theory of contingencies based on two basic
with the studies conducted by Burns and Stalker principles. First, different types of organizations
(1968),Woodward (1965), and Lawrence and are needed to address different types of markets
Lorsch (1969). In general, they analyzed the and technological conditions. Second,
relationship between the organizational structure organizations which operating in uncertain and
and the environmental conditions encountered unstable environments need more internal
(Gudono, 2014). Based on Burns and Stalker in differentiation than organizations that operating
Management of Innovation (1968), there are two in less complex and more stable environments
types of organizational structures, namely (Gudono, 2014).
mechanistic and organic. In the contingency Furthermore, Lawrence and Lorsch (1969)
theory, it is argued that in order to achieve also argue that an organization’s management
optimal performance, there are a number of style needs to vary amongst its sub-organi-
external factors (contingencies) that need to be zations, according to their sub-environmental
considered (Burns & Stalker, 1968). For characteristics. For example, the production
example, organic structures can only produce department usually faces a very clear
optimum performance when they are applied in environment as well as a short time horizon.
firms that face highly dynamic environments. Therefore, the production department can adopt
Meanwhile, mechanistic structures can only more formal and bureaucratic ways for personal
Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2018 149
interaction than the marketing department actions (Hakala, 2013). So far, the business
(Gudono, 2014). In other words, an organization orientation of a firm has received a great deal of
can fail to adapt to its environment if the attention from researchers because it has a strong
organization fails to choose the appropriate way relationship with firm performance, even in
to fit with the environment (Lawrence & Lorsch, varying and different contexts. Therefore, it is
1969). The contingency theory’s emphasis is on relevant to test business orientation further on
decision-making that can minimize the risks for other outcome variables, which in this research
the organization (Jarvis, 1990). is the USOs’ survivability.
In this study, the contingency theory is used Furthermore, of the three types of charac-
as a complementary theory – for RBT – in teristics in business orientation, risk taking is
capturing the phenomena of USO survivability considered as the most relevant resource in
in Indonesia. Specifically, it relates to the way regard to firm survivability (Aspelund et al.,
external factors contribute to the USOs’ 2005). This is because the risk-taking
survivability in Indonesia. The emphasis of the characteristic reflects the strong entrepreneurial
contingency theory on the external environ- experience of firms’ leaders, as the leaders are
mental factors plays an important role, and is the key representatives of a firm’s characteristics
believed to provide a more comprehensive (Aspelund et al., 2005). The importance of the
understanding about the phenomenon of USO entrepreneurial experience for firms’ survivabi-
survivability in Indonesia. lity is because entrepreneurial experience
indicates that leaders have faced similar
4. The Underlying Factors of USO challenges before (Aspelund et al., 2005).
Survivability
For dynamic business realities, Gersick
Based on the literature reviews, there are ten (1991) argues that the choice between making a
variables that are considered to be the underlying change, and persisting with what is, can be less
factors for USO survivability, which contain precise when the leaders have less experience of
eight factors from the USOs’ internal aspects entrepreneurship. This is because the
and two factors from their external aspects. Each entrepreneurial experience helps leaders interpret
of these underlying factors are derived from a the difficulty level of the obstacles arising from
number of literature reviews on two main their business activities. In other words, the
research topics: Firm survival and USOs. In this entrepreneurial experience of leaders can
study, all the factors are assessed to identify minimize the dilemmatic conditions (Aspelund
which factors are the determining factors for et al., 2005). Therefore, this study focuses on the
USO survivability in Indonesia. A discussion of risk taking characteristic as a characteristic of
each of the proposed factors is further elaborated business orientation when identifying the
in more detail below. underlying factors of the USOs’ survivability.
low quality of the available human resources Wright, 2005, Wright, Binks, Lockett, &
(Berbegal-Mirabent et al., 2015). Thus, the Clarysse, 2005), which has a good reputation in
availability of qualified human resources is terms of the quality of its human resources.
considered to strenghten the development Thus, there is also an urgency and relevancy to
process of USOs (O’Shea et al., 2005). examine the effect of the human resources’
Nevertheless, USO studies which focus on the reputation on the USO’s survivability, as one
issue of qualified human resources, are often possible determining factor.
conducted to discover the USOs’ development
4.3. Product Innovation
process (Franklin, Lockett, & Wright, 2001;
Berbegal-Mirabent et al., 2015), even though the Innovation has an important role in shaping the
quality of human resources is also considered to survivability of a firm. Not only for the new
affect the survivability of the firms (Lee, 2001; firms, but also for old established firms (Cefis &
Nutt, 2004), not least the USOs. Marsili, 2006). With innovation, firms are able
to increase their survival chances, by providing a
Continuing the discussion, Nicolò (2015)
successful niche strategy (Cefis & Marsili,
argues that a business’s reputation allows it to
2006). Therefore, the study of firm survival
survive. This argument is based on the notion
tends to be associated with innovation factors
that the reputation of a business is a prerequisite
(Löfsten, 2016), with no exception made for the
to creating strong, long-term trust with its
USOs.
consumers and other stakeholders. In addition,
the business’s reputation can also enhance the One of the most obvious forms of innovation
USO’s ability to create value. While it is true for an enterprises’s development is its product
that reputable companies can fail, the lack of a innovation (Löfsten, 2016). In general, product
reputation is also believed to decrease the chance innovation is defined as a gradual adjustment of
of survival of a firm (Nicolò, 2015). If the firm the existing products (Nelson & Winter, 1985).
has a positive reputation, the business risk is Product innovation shows a relatively small
perceived to be low (Goyal & Yadav, 2014). change in the product and optimizes the potential
Building a positive business reputation requires of the product’s design (Slater et al., 2014).
the company to have the ability to meet the Many empirical studies find that there is a
expectations of its consumers and other positive relation between product innovation and
stakeholders (Pfeffer & Salancik, 1978). In firm survival (Perez et al., 2004; Cefis &
addition, the reputation of the business also has a Marsili, 2006; Mas-Verdú et al., 2015; Löfsten,
positive effect on its costs and corporate 2016). According to that, this study also
earnings (Nicolò, 2015). In short, a business’s examines the role of product innovation on the
reputation is an important factor for its survival. survivability of the USOs.
associated with better business growth. In entrepreneurs and new companies need to
addition, good business planning can also involve their social networks (Huggins, 2000). A
enhance a firm’s reputation, which further network represents a media outlet for the
increases the probability of firm survival entrepreneurs to reduce the risks and costs of
(Nicolò, 2015). The better a USO’s business their business transactions. In addition, a
plan is, the probability of its survival will be network is also a means to improve access to
higher (Löfsten, 2016). Thus, this study also business ideas, knowledge and capital (Aldrich
includes business planning as one of the relevant & Zimmer, 1986).
underlying factors for USO survivability. A social network consists of a set of formal
4.5. Business Model Innovation and informal relationships between the central
actor and the other actors in a circle of
Recently, there is increased attention paid to
connections (colleagues). In this case, a social
business model innovation by managers, in order
network represents the channel that
to create a competitive advantage and achieve
entrepreneurs can use to get access to the
higher performance by their companies (Calia et
opportunities, resources, and legitimacy needed
al., 2007). In contrast to product innovation,
for business initiation, growth, and success
business model innovation involves more
(Elfring & Hulsink, 2003; Kristiansen, 2003).
systemic changes, as it includes changes in value
propositions, value creation, and consumer value Moreover, a social network is considered to be
(Velu & Stiles, 2013). The study of International an important factor for the survival of a firm, not
Business Machines (IBM) (2008) shows that a least for a USO. Social networks are relevant
firm with higher growth in its operating profits and need to be included, because in the USO
than its competitors emphasizes the importance literature, social networking has not been
of business model innovation. The implication, considered to be a noteworthy aspect (Grandi &
many researchers then suggested, was to test the Grimaldi, 2003).
role of business model innovation even further,
4.7. Export Activity
to see how it impacts on the survival of the
company (Velu, 2015). In their study, Bernard et al. (2003) and Melitz
(2003) concluded that export activity correlates
The business model is a structural frame-
with firm productivity. Companies that export
work that describes a company’s system, which
are reported to be more productive than non-
consists of a set of synergistic corporate
export companies (Greenway & Kneller, 2007).
activities, in order to create and capturing value
(Zott & Amit, 2001). In other words, a business Specifically, Kimura and Kiyota (2006) found
model can be seen as a part of corporate strategy, that exporters had 15 percent higher productivity
and is a combination of complementary than non-exporters.
resources to support the commercialization of Continuing the discussion, Dzumashev et al.
the company's core products (Vidal & Mitchell, (2016) argues that the high productivity which is
2013). Based on this, business model innovation generated through export activities can also
is considered to have an effect on the increase the survival of a firm. This is because,
survivability of a company (Velu, 2015). in addition to having a positive impact on the
firm’s profit, export activities also increase the
4.6. Social Network
productivity standards that are needed to survive
So far in entrepreneurship studies, there is a (Greenway & Kneller, 2007), for example, by
general agreement that in order to survive,
152 Sallatu and Indarti
forcing inefficient companies to get out of the 2005), by transfering the ownership of
market. Therefore, it can be concluded that those intellectual property that results from research
USOs involved with export activities are funded by the government, to the universities or
considered to have a higher level of survivability researchers as the inventors (Aldridge &
than the USOs that are not. Audretsch, 2010; 2011). Based on this, it can be
seen that the government also has an important
4.8. Capital Access
role in the development of the USOs.
In building and developing a business, there are Correspondingly, some of the literature
several potential resources that can be used, i.e. emphasizes the importance of government
personal savings, loans from family networks, support for the success of USOs in different
joint savings and credit systems, or the capital countries and regions (Franklin et al., 2001;
and banking institutions (Indarti & Langenberg, Gübeli & Doloreux, 2005; Rasmussen, 2011;
2004). Based on a study in Indonesia, Indarti and Furlan & Grandinetti, 2014), with no exception
Langenberg (2004) found that access to capital in Indonesia (Payumo et al., 2014). The high
has a positive effect on business success. level of uncertainty in the USO business can
Therefore, it is interesting to see whether capital negatively affect the existence of USOs
access can also have a positive or decisive effect (Sørheim et al., 2011). Thus, government
on the survivability of firms, especially the support becomes central to the existence of
USOs in Indonesia. USOs (Sørheim et al., 2011).
The arguments presented above are
4.10. Business Incubators
important and need to be examined, according to
Sørheim et al. (2011), which suggests that one of Business incubators are believed to directly or
the major challenges for USOs is related to indirectly support USOs’ activities (Löfsten &
issues with capital. Shane and Cabble (2002) Lindelöf, 2002). In general, business incubators
argue that USOs are believed to have limited serve to provide training and mentoring to the
resources, so require an external source of USOs’ actors, in order to expand their
capital or funding in order to pursue their businesses (Mas-Verdú et al., 2015). Business
opportunities. Thus, the ability to obtain funding incubators may also provide access to the capital
from financial institutions is an important factor institutions (Berbegal-Mirabent et al., 2015) and
for the USOs’ survivability (Wright et al., 2006). networks that are useful for the operation and
development of the USOs’ businesses (Löfsten,
4.9. Government Support
2010). Thus, the support provided by business
One of the successful countries in supporting incubators has become one of the success factors
USO activities is the United States. This success for USOs (Helm& Mauroner, 2007).
was largely influenced by the encouragement of Although the main purpose of business
the Bayh-Dole Act (BDA) policy, established in incubators is to create new companies (Berbegal-
1980 by the United States legislature (Lockett et Mirabent et al., 2015), several recommendations
al., 2005). In general, the BDA is a policy to examine the role of business incubators in the
dealing with the intellectual property rights that success and survival of companies exist
result from research funded by public (Schwartz, 2009). Similarly Schwartz (2013),
institutions. The main focus of this policy is to through various studies, noted that there is an
increase the acceleration of new technological influence by business incubators on the age of
developments from universities (Lockett et al.,
Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2018 153
companies, especially noticeable in those that The data for this study were collected in five
have existed for more than ten years. Therefore, big cities in Indonesia, from Yogyakarta,
the importance of the business incubator’s role is Jakarta, Bogor, Malang, and Makassar. Specifi-
believed not only to affect the creation and cally, the data were collected from USOs that
success of a USO, but also its survivability. were linked with 14 universities around the
research locations. The locations’ selection
METHOD, DATA, AND ANALYSIS refered to the concept of a USO as a university-
In general, this research uses a behavioral study based firm (Rasmussen, 2011). Moreover, these
as its approach, which is designed as an five locations were selected because there are a
exploratory research. Cooper and Schindler number of major universities located in those
(2014) stated that the exploratory model is used cities, which were classified in the top 10
for relatively new research, where the researcher university rankings in Indonesia
needs to explore the general picture of what is (KEMENRISTEKDIKTI, 2016).
being research. Furthermore, a quantitative
2. Pilot Study
approach was also employed to reveal the
determining factors of USO survivability The type of data were primary data, collected by
through a series of relevant statistical tests. Thus, a survey method with open and closed questions.
in general, this study is a quantitative The questionnaire in this study was based on the
exploratory research. information from a pilot study, in which the in-
depth interview method was used with one of the
1. Population and Samples relevant and credible USOs to provide
University-based firms in Indonesia were chosen preliminary information related to USOs in
as the population of this research. Indonesia was Indonesia; in this case, PT. Swayasa Prakarsa
selected because of the considerable increase in based at Gadjah Mada University. The pilot
USO development activities there, but there is study was conducted in order to build a relevant
still a lack of empirical studies which can be research instrument (questionnaire), in order to
used as references to discuss the phenomenon of capture further information related to the
USOs in Indonesia (Payumo et al., 2014). A phenomenon of USOs and their survivability in
purposive sampling method was employed in Indonesia.
this research, with two criteria for the sample. In general, the in-depth interview was
Firstly, the firms that became the object of the conducted using the semi-structural method.
research were classified as USOs. According to There are six major topics covered by the
Callan (2001), Lockett and Wright (2005), and interview, which are: 1) The pre-formation
Wright et al. (2005), a firm may be classified as process of the USO; 2) the post-formation
a USO, if it: 1) Owns a license or use the process of the USO; 3) the leadership of the
intellectual property of a university or public USO; 4) the external environment of the USO;
research institution; 2) owns an investment 5) the perception of survivability of the USO;
(equity) from the university or public research and 6) the perception of the USO phenomenon in
institution; 3) is directly established by a Indonesia. The descriptive part of the
university or public research institution. questionnaire used was developed based on the
Secondly, the USOs in this study have been information from the pilot study.
founded and operating for at least six months.
154 Sallatu and Indarti
Status of USO
• Holding Company 80 72.1
• Branch Company 4 3.6
• Subsidiary Company 27 24.3
Total 111 100
Industry of USO
• Manufacturing 15 13.5
• Services 57 51.4
• Banking 5 4.5
• Retail 19 17.1
• Creative Industry 4 3.6
• Agribusiness 11 9.9
Total 111 100
Market Segmentation of USO (more than one option
are possible)
• Local 79 71.2
• Domestic/National 52 46.8
• International 9 8.1
• University Area 4 3.6
Size of USO (based on labor)
• Big (≤100) 6 5.4
• Medium (20 – 99) 28 25.2
• Small (5 –19) 46 41.4
• Micro/Household (1 – 4) 31 28.0
Total 111 100
Net Income Range of USO (in a month)
• ≤ Rp. 50.000.000 71 63.9
• Rp. 50.000.000 – Rp. 100.000.000 19 17.1
• Rp. 100.000.000 – Rp. 150.000.000 7 6.3
• > Rp. 150.000.000 14 12.6
Total 111 100
Source: Survey Data, analyzed
Table 3. Reliability
Number Cronbach's
No. Variables Reliability
of Items Alpha
1 Human Resource Reputation (RSDM) 10 0.91 Reliable
2 Product Innovation (IP) 6 0.93 Reliable
3 Export Activity (AE) 4 0.94 Reliable
4 Business Incubators (IB) 4 0.92 Reliable
5 Business Model Innovation (IMB) 3 0.94 Reliable
6 Business Planning (PB) 3 0.82 Reliable
7 Business Orientation (OB) 3 0.79 Reliable
8 Governement Support (DP) 2 0.70 Reliable
9 Social Network (JS) 3 0.71 Reliable
10 Capital Access (AM) 2 0.69 Reliable
11 Survivability (KHP) 4 0.83 Reliable
Table 4. Multicollinearity
Variables Tolerance VIF
Human Resource Reputation (RSDM) 0.42 2.34
Product Innovation (IP) 0.55 1.81
Export Activity (AE) 0.80 1.24
Business Incubators (IB) 0.75 1.32
Business Model Innovation (IMB) 0.52 1.91
Business Planning (PB) 0.54 1.82
Business Orientation (OB) 0.72 1.39
Government Support (DP) 0.77 1.28
Social Network (JS) 0.60 1.64
Capital Access (AM) 0.64 1.56
Source: Survey Data, analyzed
5. The Determining Factors of USO were only two factors which were the
Survivability determining factors for USO survivability.
Based on the results of the MRA (see Table 5), it Furthermore, from these two determining
was reported that from the ten factors tested, factors for USO survivability, human resources’
there were only two factors which had a direct reputation was found to have a greater effect
effect on the USOs’ survivability: The human than social networks. It can be seen from the
resource reputation (β=0.308, p=0.006) and coefficient level of the human resources’
social network (β=0.232, p=0.012). Meanwhile, reputation that it was higher than the coefficient
the other eight factors had a level of significance level of social network (0.308>0.232). This
far above the tolerance limit (0.10 or 10 percent). finding showed that human resources’ reputation
It was concluded that from the ten factors, there was the main determining factor for USO
survivability.
Although the results of the MRA showed Wright, 2005; Wright et al., 2005; Berbegal-
that there were only two determining factors for Mirabent et al., 2015). Human resources’
USO survivability, the simultaneous test showed reputation has an important role for the USOs’
the F level (9.922) to be higher than the level of survivability because it represents the firms’
the F table (1.66), in accord with the high level resources and capabilities to fulfill the
of significance (p=0.000). These results expectations of all their stakeholders (Pfeffer &
indicated that the independent variables Salancik, 1978), which normally results in an
simultaneously influenced the USOs’ surviva- increase in their businesses’ reputations. In line
bility. In addition, the level of the adjusted R- with the findings, Berbegal-Mirabent et al.
square were reported to be 0.448, which means (2015) in a similar study of university-based
the percentage of all the independent variables firms, also found that the quality of human
explaining the USOs’ survivability was 44.8 resources was one of the main factors supporting
percent. In other words, the ten factors have their formation process.
already proved quite extensively that they are the In addition to the human resources’
antecedents for USO survivability. reputation, social networks were also found to be
a determining factor in the USOs’ survivability
6. Discussion in Indonesia. In this study, social networks
In general, this study aims to identifying the represent the ability of a USO to build a
determining factors for USO survivability in network, and the key personnel needed to obtain
Indonesia. Based on the EFA, there were ten information and opportunities from,which are
potential determining factors, i.e. 1) human useful for the survival of the USO. This finding
resources’ reputation; 2) product innovation; 3) confirmed the argument of Huggins (2000)
export activity; 4) business incubators; 5) which suggests it is a matter of some urgency to
business models’ innovation; 6) business involve the social networks of the entrepreneurs
planning; 7) business orientation; 8) government and the USO in order for it to survive. In
support; 9) social networks; and 10) capital addition, these findings also provided empirical
access. However, after the MRA test, it was evidence that social networks were not only
found that there were only two determining important for the growth and success of a
factors for USOs’ survivability in Indonesia, company (Elfring & Hulsink, 2003; Kristiansen,
namely human resources’ reputation and social 2003), but also for the survivability of the USOs,
networks. especially in Indonesia.
Furthermore, human resources’ reputation Finally, these findings provided empirical
was reported to be the main factor for the evidence about the factors required to increase
survivability of USOs in Indonesia, rather than the USOs’ survivability in Indonesia. In this
social networks. These findings confirmed a case, there were generally two determining
number of empirical studies which emphasized factors, namely human resources’ reputation and
the importance of a USO’s reputation through social networks. Specifically, the reputation of
the quality of its existing human resources the USOs’ human resources was considered to
(Pfeffer & Salancik, 1978; Callan, 2001; Lee, be the main factor in the USOs’ survivability in
2001; Nutt, 2004; O’Shea et al., 2005; Lockett & Indonesia.
Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2018 159
Specifically, USOs needs to recruit, develop, and concrete form of human resources’ reputation
retain the human resources who possess skills, that is required for the USOs’ survivability.
specializations, creativity, intelligence, and Therefore, future research may be able to build a
global insight, as well as searching for those more specific theoretical framework to provide
considered to be the best in the business. clear understanding about USOs.
Third, this study did not consider the
LIMITATION AND SUGGESTION differences in USOs’ typology in Indonesia
Apart from the various contribution of the study, when constructing the important issue, since the
this study has several limitations to be following relevant literature is so limited (Payumo et al.,
up on in any future research. First, in Indonesia, 2014); even though a USO needs to be seen as a
the USO is a relatively new research area, firm that has different characteristics to other
implying there is still a lack of relevant literature firms in general. As a university-based firm, and
to help understand USOs in Indonesia (Payumo its core business being based on the intellectual
et al., 2014). Therefore, this study provides an property of the university, there are a number of
initial understanding and empirical evidence university contexts that should be considered.
about USOs in Indonesia, specifically by Thus, future research needs to set up a particular
identifying the determining factors for their study of USOs that focuses on capturing and
survival. Although there were a lot of analyzed classifying the various typologies of USOs,
variables, this study could not provide an especially in Inodnesia.
illustration of the more complex relationships
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Notice: The Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business and its Board of Editors are not responsible
for any errors or flaws found in this article. The authors take full responsibility for their work.
166 Sallatu and Indarti
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
Component
Items Factor Loading
Factor
USO Survivability
KHP1 0.86
1
KHP2 0.86
KHP3 0.81
KHP4 0.75
Source: Survey Data, analyzed