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Metro and Non-Metro Business Icubators: Similarities and Critical Differences

Author

Listed:
  • Randall Jackson

    (Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University)

  • Peter Schaeffer

    (Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University)

  • Mark Middleton

    (Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University)

Abstract

Business incubators often figure prominently into regional economic development and innovation strategies. This paper reports on a recent survey aimed at identifying appropriate methods for the evaluation of nonmetropolitan, rural incubator performance. The results draw upon responses from 209 of 719 active U.S. Business incubators identified through our research. Roughly one quarter of the respondents were located outside of areas classified as metropolitan. This paper focuses on critical similarities and differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan business incubators along the dimensions of economic role, function, and effectiveness. The survey and preliminary synthesis of follow-up interviews suggests that an explicit awareness of the functional differences between business incubators in nonmetropolitan regions might enhance their potential for success.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall Jackson & Peter Schaeffer & Mark Middleton, 2012. "Metro and Non-Metro Business Icubators: Similarities and Critical Differences," Working Papers Working Paper 2012-03, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University.
  • Handle: RePEc:rri:wpaper:2012wp03
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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/rri_pubs/5/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sean M. Hackett & David M. Dilts, 2004. "A Systematic Review of Business Incubation Research," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 29(1), pages 55-82, January.
    2. Sean Hackett & David Dilts, 2008. "Inside the black box of business incubation: Study B—scale assessment, model refinement, and incubation outcomes," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 439-471, October.
    3. Junbo Yu & Mark Middleton & Randall Jackson, 2010. "Geography of Business Incubator Formation in the United States," Working Papers Working Paper 2010-10, Regional Research Institute, West Virginia University.
    4. Peter Schaeffer & Shaoming Cheng & Mark Middleton, 2011. "Incubators in Rural Environments: A Preliminary Analysis," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp & Roger R. Stough (ed.), Drivers of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Regional Dynamics, pages 271-290, Springer.
    5. Richard Shearmur & David Doloreux, 2000. "Science Parks: Actors or Reactors? Canadian Science Parks in Their Urban Context," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(6), pages 1065-1082, June.
    6. Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp & Roger R. Stough (ed.), 2011. "Drivers of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Regional Dynamics," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-642-17940-2, Fall.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    business incubators; economic development; rural economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy

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