University Business Incubators: A Systematic Literature Review from 2000 to 2019

Abstract

Business incubation initiatives have gained increased attention of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers due to its unique ability to provide a conducive environment that develops and accelerates entrepreneurship. University-based incubation centers have become an essential part of the entrepreneurship support services at campuses to offer critical support and provide various services to newly established start-ups. Recognizing the importance of university incubation centers, researchers are studying various aspects related to university-based business incubators to promote entrepreneurship among university students. In this study, a systematic literature review on university business incubators is conducted on 61 research articles selected after a rigorous process from three databases (ISI-Web of Knowledge, Taylor & Francis, Emerald). Studies were analyzed to answer four main questions related to university business incubators' methodological considerations, proximal and distant outcomes, theoretical lenses, and major research streams. Results revealed that the majority of the research is being done in European countries and the majority of research articles (50%) were published in 2017 to 2019 most having qualitative designs that indicate the importance of campus-based incubation initiatives to promote entrepreneurship. Proximal and distant outcomes revealed various factors at individual, team, firm, institutional, and policy levels. Institutional, network, and resource based-view (RBV) is the main theoretical underpinnings focused on institutional and firm-level studies. This study contributed by analyzing, summarizing, and evaluating UBI’s literature concerning methodological considerations, proximal and distant outcomes, and trend of major research streams. Key Words; University, Business, Incubation, Entrepreneurship, Start-ups