From business incubator to crucible: a new perspective on entrepreneurial support
Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development
ISSN: 1462-6004
Article publication date: 1 February 2024
Issue publication date: 28 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Although business incubators are a widely recognized form of entrepreneurial support, this paper aims to challenge the assumption that incubation is necessarily beneficial for early-stage entrepreneurs, and considers cases where, due to variability in the motives and behaviours of entrepreneurs, incubation may be unwarranted or even undesireable.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a theoretically derived typology of incubated entrepreneurs, based on their entrepreneurial competence and capacity for learning, which asserts that incubation may be unwarranted or even undesireable for three of the four proposed entrepreneur types. Qualitative data from interviews with entrepreneurs and managing directors from 10 business incubators is used to illustrate the existence of these types.
Findings
The data provides evidence of entrepreneurial types whose incubation may be counterproductive to the goals and objectives of their host incubators.
Practical implications
Implications for incubator management (intake screening and ongoing monitoring of portfolio) are developed and aimed at improving the outcomes of business incubation for stakeholders.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the incubation typology literature by challenging a widely held assumption that entrepreneurs have the potential to benefit from incubation and by reconceptualizing incubators as “crucibles” that perform a critical function in distinguishing high-potential entrepreneurs.
Keywords
Citation
Valliere, D. and Nicholls-Nixon, C.L. (2024), "From business incubator to crucible: a new perspective on entrepreneurial support", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 395-417. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-04-2023-0181
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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