Research Article

Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures

Volume: 25 Number: 56 September 30, 2026
TR EN

Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures

Abstract

Deep-tech startups need more than the founders’ know-how and financial resources to succeed in their target markets. Financial incentives, laboratory facilities, credibility and access to investor networks rank among their most pressing needs. Technoparks are considered a critical path to meet these requirements in Türkiye. But the facilitating role of technoparks can lead to the technology entrepreneurs they host losing their autonomy and becoming dependent on the parks. This research investigates how this dependence develops. The data for the paper were collected through 18 semi-structured interviews with the founders and senior executives of deep-tech startups based in technoparks. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis focused on three interconnected patterns: the formation of dependency, the facilitating and constraining roles of the technopark as an intermediary and the reactions of entrepreneurs along the autonomy-dependency continuum. The results show that technoparks support startups in reducing the uncertainties in the early stages of their development. However, consistently relying on technoparks without developing alternative channels could increase exit costs, deepen dependence on infrastructure, reduce bargaining power and make it more difficult to dismantle entrenched support networks. Entrepreneurs rarely exit overnight. They spread operations across different locations, look for other forms of support and sometimes plan for a gradual withdrawal. The main contribution of the article is the conceptualization of technoparks as institutional intermediaries that support deep-tech startups and govern access to critical resources, and the demonstration of how such access can lead to an emergent lock-in.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (institution name withheld for blind review; Decision No. 25-118, dated November 28, 2025). All interviews were conducted in accordance with the principles of voluntary participation, informed consent, and confidentiality.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 25 Number: 56

APA
Duran, C. (2026). Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 25(56), 847-880. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1959751
AMA
1.Duran C. Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;25(56):847-880. doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1959751
Chicago
Duran, Cem. 2026. “Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 25 (56): 847-80. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1959751.
EndNote
Duran C (September 1, 2026) Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 25 56 847–880.
IEEE
[1]C. Duran, “Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures”, İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 25, no. 56, pp. 847–880, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.46928/iticusbe.1959751.
ISNAD
Duran, Cem. “Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 25/56 (September 1, 2026): 847-880. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1959751.
JAMA
1.Duran C. Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026;25:847–880.
MLA
Duran, Cem. “Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures”. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 25, no. 56, Sept. 2026, pp. 847-80, doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1959751.
Vancouver
1.Cem Duran. Institutional Intermediation and Emergent Structural Lock-in in Technoparks: From Support to Dependence in Deep-Tech Ventures. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2026 Sep. 1;25(56):847-80. doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1959751