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On the structure of business incubators: de-coupling issues and the mis-alignment of managerial incentives

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  • Ali J. Ahmad

    (University of Warwick)

  • Courtney Thornberry

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

Business incubators are structurally complex and have resisted any major change to their internal structure, replicating throughout the world in large numbers, and delivering value through numerous models. A question, thus arises, what specific structural properties of incubators facilitate the organizational form’s replication and performance in a range of institutional contexts? In order to shed light on this question, an exploratory-inductive approach is adopted; and, utilizing the tools of organization theory, the internal environment of the business incubator is de-coded. This draws attention to attributes of the hybrid incubator-form’s internal structural properties that have not been discussed in the past, including de-coupling issues and the mis-alignment of managerial incentives with the actual role of incubating. These properties, rather than impacting incubators’ status, award incubators with ceremonial value and help their managements avoid close inspections of performance. This in turn, it is proposed, has allowed for their rapid replication in a variety of socio- cultural, economic and institutional contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali J. Ahmad & Courtney Thornberry, 2018. "On the structure of business incubators: de-coupling issues and the mis-alignment of managerial incentives," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(5), pages 1190-1212, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:43:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s10961-016-9551-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-016-9551-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Photchanaphisut Pattanasak & Tanyanuparb Anantana & Boontarika Paphawasit & Ratapol Wudhikarn, 2022. "Critical Factors and Performance Measurement of Business Incubators: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-39, April.
    3. Roberto Vaz & Sandrina Francisca Teixeira & João Vidal de Carvalho, 2022. "Comfortable but Not Brilliant: Exploring the Incubation Experience of Founders of Technology-Based Startups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, November.
    4. Nathasit Gerdsri & Boonkiart Iewwongcharoen & Kittichai Rajchamaha & Nisit Manotungvorapun & Jakapong Pongthanaisawan & Watcharin Witthayaweerasak, 2021. "Capability Assessment toward Sustainable Development of Business Incubators: Framework and Experience Sharing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Roberto Vaz & João Vidal de Carvalho & Sandrina Francisca Teixeira, 2023. "Developing a Digital Business Incubator Model to Foster Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, and Academia–Industry Connections," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-29, April.
    6. Brian J. Bergman & Jeffery S. McMullen, 2022. "Helping Entrepreneurs Help Themselves: A Review and Relational Research Agenda on Entrepreneurial Support Organizations," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(3), pages 688-728, May.
    7. Klofsten, Magnus & Lundmark, Erik & Wennberg, Karl & Bank, Megan, 2019. "Incubator specialization and size: divergent paths towards operational scale," Ratio Working Papers 326, The Ratio Institute.
    8. Tasneem Sadiq & Rob van Tulder & Karen Maas, 2022. "Building a Taxonomy of Hybridization: An Institutional Logics Perspective on Societal Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
    9. Maryam Elbahjaoui & Abdelaziz Elabjani, 2021. "Incubation Process: A Key Innovation Lever for Successful Start-Up Businesses," Post-Print hal-03520325, HAL.

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