ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE: SPIN-OFFS SAYS THAT…

Structured Abstract Purpose The knowledge based economic system is characterised actually by surprising, uncertain and adverse changes. Academic literature defines organizational resilience as the organization’s ability to maintain a positive attitude under challenging conditions in time of crisis. So, the resilient organization emerges from those changes strengthened and more resourceful. This work currently has dual aims. Firstly, it wants to offer a point of analysis about the concept of resilience in the organizations. Secondly, it wants to understand the impact and the effect of organizational resilience in the specific situation of the Academic Spin-Offs (ASOs). Design/methodology/approach We use an approach based on two steps. Firstly, we proceed to analyse a brief review of the literature in order to understand the phenomenon of resilience in the organizations and the specific factors that characterize resilience. After we try to understand, through the analysis of specific database of Italian ASOs, what factors about resilience are present in ASOs, in order to suggest possible ways able to support the ASOs in own life cycle. Originality/value The value is to focus on theme that impact particularly on territory – the growth of new firms and employment – by using the new concept of resilience, that could offer new paths and modes to support the economic development. Practical implications The outcomes of this research have different implications. Firstly it’s possible to understand if particular factors of resilience exist able to support the development and growth of ASOs (and/or in case of their lack the possible failure effects); so, in addition, it’s possible to suggest to Academic Management the best ways to avoid ASOs’ failure and improve their development.