Incubation policy and practice: building practitioner and professional capability

Abstract

PurposeThe primary purpose of this article is to propose a conceptual base from which an appropriate management and leadership development framework for supporting capability building of professionals and practitioners across the UK incubation community can be built. Furthermore, it provides insights into how such a framework could be applied through an initiative developed in the East Midlands region of the UK.Design/methodology/approachA review of the research in this field is summarised as an empirical background to proposing a conceptual framework. The author explores the evolution of incubation and identifies specific models and processes of incubation, as reported elsewhere in the specialist literature. This framework is further explored within the context of its applicability as a tool for building management and leadership development capability.FindingsThe author recognises the lack of published research in this field, despite its importance for enhancing incubation performance outcomes. Three main framework components are drawn from this comprehensive review. Four different learner types are identified, and these form the basis of outline incubation management and leadership development programme options, with differentiated indicative syllabi.Originality/valueThis article reinforces the need for, and has demonstrated the importance of, enhancing human capital capability within professionals and practitioners in the incubation community. The conceptual framework presented in this paper provides a foundation from which learning and development programmes can be provided.

The impact of university-based incubation support on the innovation strategy of academic spin-offs

“…At a general level, the environment incubators are perceived to offer tends to be seen as one which nurtures commercial ideas in a way which makes them more likely to become marketable products (Nosella and Grimaldi, 2009;Hannon, 2005). As a consequence, incubators are linked to helping to overcome the failure rate too often associated with newly established firms.…”

Assessing the Performance of Business Incubators: Recent France Evidence

“…Different models are then implemented under a variety of more or less synonymous labels ranging from business incubators (Phillips 2002;Carayannis and von Zedtwitz, 2005;Bergek and Norrman, 2008), Networked Incubators (Hansen et al, 2000), Research Parks' (Money, 1970), Knowledge Parks (Bugliarello, 1998), Industrial Parks (Autio and Klofsten, 1998), technology or science parks (Lofsten andLindelof, 2002), Innovation Centers (Campbell, 1989), technopoles or technopolis (Castells and Hall, 1994), clusters (Audretsch and Lehmann, 2005), Triple Helix (Etzbowitz et al, 2005), to competitive clusters (Porter, 1998). Whatever the name used the overall objective of these models is to provide various institutional and relational factors or supporting infrastructures serving to facilitate and influence innovative activities, including the accessibility and availability of funds, availability of pools of educated human resources and regulatory policies for the transfer of technology (Hannon, 2005;Rothschild and Darr, 2005;McAdam and Marlow, 2007). Yet, they act as a bridge linking different actors, especially regional ones, such as academia, industry and government bodies.…”

“…with more intangible and high-value service (Grimaldi and Grandi, 2005;Aerts et al, 2007). Therefore, whatever the name used, taking into account the period of the study, the country, and the stakeholders' purposes, the overall objective of these models is to provide various institutional and relational factors or supporting infrastructure serving to facilitate and promote innovative activities, including the accessibility and availability of funds, availability of pools of educated human resources and regulatory policies for the transfer of technology (Hannon, 2005;Rothschild and Darr, 2005;McAdam and Marlow, 2007).…”

Challenges and opportunities of innovation and incubators as a tool for knowledge-based economy

“…2008; Al-Mubaraki and Busler, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c, 2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2011dFrenkel, Shefer, & Miller, 2008;Hannon, 2005;Hansen, Chesbrough, Norhoa, & Sull, 2000;Hughes et al 2007;Lalkaka, 2002;McAdam & McAdam, 2008;McAdam, Galbraith, McAdam, & Humphreys, 2006;Mian, 1994aMian, , 1994bMian, , 1996aMian, , 1996bMian, , 1997Phillips, 2002;Rothaermel & Thursby, 2005a, 2005bSmilor & Gill, 1986;Sweeney, 1987;Thierstein & Wilhelm, 2001). Many international organizations serving business incubators in the United States, such as the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA, 2012), demonstrated the highest percentage of incubator characteristics such as: (1) incubator type indicated (54%) as mixed-use type; (2) incubator goal includes job creation and fostering entrepreneurial climate; and (3) incubator services such as (i) help with business basics, (ii) high-speed Internet access, (iii) marketing assistance, and (iv) networking activities.…”