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A systematic literature review on accelerators

Author

Listed:
  • Emil Lucian Crișan

    (Babeș-Bolyai University)

  • Irina Iulia Salanță

    (Babeș-Bolyai University)

  • Ioana Natalia Beleiu

    (Babeș-Bolyai University)

  • Ovidiu Niculae Bordean

    (Babeș-Bolyai University
    University of Rochester, Ain Center for Entrepreneurship)

  • Raluca Bunduchi

    (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, accelerators emerged as a popular and distinct new form of intermediary organization, playing a key role in supporting entrepreneurial and innovation activities. To date, despite significant growth in accelerators research, there is still little understanding of how different forms of accelerators operate, and what outcomes they produce across different contexts. This paper reviews the existing scholarly research on accelerators using the Context–Intervention–Mechanism–Outcome framework and is based on the analysis of 98 research papers on accelerators published in the last 15 years. The analysis identifies four mechanisms which explain how accelerators operate and the role they play in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation: the validation of ideas and products; the provision of product development and models learning; the provision of support to increase startups’ market access and growth; and the provision of support for innovation. The paper identifies the methodological and theoretical gaps in current research and provides avenues to support future research and industry practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Emil Lucian Crișan & Irina Iulia Salanță & Ioana Natalia Beleiu & Ovidiu Niculae Bordean & Raluca Bunduchi, 2021. "A systematic literature review on accelerators," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 62-89, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:46:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10961-019-09754-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-019-09754-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Farzana Chowdhury & David B. Audretsch, 2024. "Paradoxes of accelerator programs and new venture performance: Do varieties of experiences make a difference?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 381-409, January.
    4. Sohail, Kanza & Belitski, Maksim & Castro Christiansen, Liza, 2023. "Developing business incubation process frameworks: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    5. Chandler, Jeffrey A. & Short, Jeremy C. & Hasan, Md Kamrul & Fan, Gang, 2022. "Founding team characteristics and the pursuit of social motives: A role theory perspective," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 17(C).
    6. Emil Lucian Crisan & Bogdan Florin Covaliu & Diana Maria Chis, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of Quality Management Initiatives in Dental Clinics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-16, October.
    7. Merguei, Nitzan & Costa, Carla, 2022. "What are pre-acceleration programs?," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    8. Romi Kher & Shu Yang & Scott L. Newbert, 2023. "Accelerating emergence: the causal (but contextual) effect of social impact accelerators on nascent for-profit social ventures," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 389-413, June.
    9. Berna Beyhan & Derya Fındık, 2022. "Selection of Sustainability Startups for Acceleration: How Prior Access to Financing and Team Features Influence Accelerators’ Selection Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-23, February.
    10. Navid Mohammadi & Shaghayegh Sakhteh, 2023. "Start-up accelerator value chain: a systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(2), pages 661-694, June.
    11. Bańka Michał & Salwin Mariusz & Waszkiewicz Aneta Ewa & Rychlik Szymon & Kukurba Maria, 2022. "Startup Accelerators," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 58(1), pages 80-118, March.
    12. Antonios D. Livieratos & Vasilis Siemos, 2021. "Optimizing University Acceleration Programs. The Case of NKUA’s Multistage Model," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), International Hellenic University (IHU), Kavala Campus, Greece (formerly Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology - EMaTTech), vol. 14(2), pages 68-77, September.
    13. Michal Banka & Mariusz Salwin & Dariusz Masłowski & Szymon Rychlik & Maria Kukurba, 2022. "Start-up Accelerator: State of the Art and Future Directions," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 477-510.
    14. Vidit Mohan & Rohan Chinchwadkar, 2022. "Technology Business Incubation: A Literature Review and Gaps," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 53-63, June.
    15. Sandrine Frémeaux & François Henry, 2023. "Temporality and Meaningful Entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 725-739, December.
    16. Gonzalez-Uribe, Juanita & Hmaddi, Ouafaa, 2022. "The multi-dimensional impacts of business accelerators: what does the research tell us?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115461, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accelerators; Systematic literature review; Business accelerator; Social accelerator; Corporate accelerator;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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