In our knowledge-based society academic spin- offs are an important form of technology transfer. However, most related entrepreneurial efforts fail. When looking at determining factors, researchers have to be regarded as members of a complex social network consisting not only of academic peers but also of participants from industry, policy, and supporting institutions, and friends and family members. This network is the academic entrepreneurs general framework of operation characterised by resource and communication flows of differing nature. The book tries to answer the question under what...