Design and Ranking of Evaluation Indicators for Business Incubators in Iran’s Innovation Ecosystem

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student of Technology Management, Faculty of Industrial and Technology Management, University of Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Industrial and Technology Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Institute for Basic Studies of Science and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of designing and ranking evaluation indicators for incubators within Iran’s innovation ecosystem, employing a mixed-method approach across three consecutive phases. In the first phase, a systematic review was carried out and 20 key articles were selected, from which 312 initial criteria were extracted. In the second phase, these criteria were transformed into measurable indicators and, following three rounds of conceptual refinement and categorization, were organized into four layers (input, process, output, and outcome), six groups, and 53 indicators. Subsequently, through Content Validity Ratio (CVR) analysis and expert judgment from eight specialists, the framework was screened and narrowed down to 42 core indicators. In the third phase, the final structure was weighted and ranked using the Best–Worst Method (BWM) with the participation of 10 experts. The findings revealed that “business support and development services” and “financial resources and sustainability” were the most critical groups, while “facilitated investment volume,” “tenant satisfaction with services,” “regional employment contribution,” and “commercialization rate” emerged as the most significant intra-group indicators.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

1] Oh, D. S., Phillips, F., Park, S., & Lee, E. (2016). Innovation Ecosystems: A Critical Examination. Technovation, 54, 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2016.02.004
[2] Mian, S., Lamine, W., & Fayolle, A. (2016). Technology Business Incubation: An Overview of the State of Knowledge. Technovation, 50, 1-12.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2016.02.005
[3] Neamati, M. A. (2023). Analysis and Comparison of the Key Perfprmance Indicators (KPIs) of Iranian Technology Incubators. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 13(3), 143-172.
https://journal.irphe.ac.ir/article_702602_en.html?lang=fa
[4] Ghasemizad, A., Kazemi, M., Abbasi, A., & Mohammadkhani, K. (2011). Improvement of Technology Business Incubators' Effectiveness: An Explanatory Model. African Journal of Business Management, 5(22), 9278.
https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM.9000346
[5] Grimaldi, R., & Grandi, A. (2005). Business Incubators and New Venture Creation: An Assessment of Incubating Models. Technovation, 25(2), 111-121.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(03)00076-2
[6] Kaggwa, S., Onunka, T., Uwaoma, P. U., Onunka, O., Daraojimba, A. I., & Eyo-Udo, N. L. (2023). Evaluating the Efficacy of Technology Incubation Centres in Fostering Entrepreneurship: Case Studies From the Global Sout. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research, 6(1), 46-68.
https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i1.695
[7] Kilcrase, K. (2012). The Batavia Industrial Center: The Hatching of the World’s First Business Incubator. New York History, 93(1), 71–93.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23645409
[8] Hassan, N. A. (2024). University Business Incubators As a Tool For Accelerating Entrepreneurship: Theoretical Perspective. Review of economics and political science, 9(5), 434-453.
https://doi.org/10.1108/REPS-10-2019-0142
[9] Fonseca, S. A., & Jabbour, C. J. C. (2012). Assessment of Business Incubators' Green Performance: A Framework and its Application to Brazilian Cases. Technovation, 32(2), 122-132.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2011.10.006
[10] Wann, J. W., Lu, T. J., Lozada, I., & Cangahuala, G. (2017). University-Based Incubators’ Performance Evaluation: A Benchmarking Approach. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 24(1), 34-49.
https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-02-2015-0018
[11] Kiran, R., & Bose, S. C. (2020). Stimulating Business Incubation Performance: Role of Networking, University Linkage and Facilities. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 32(12), 1407-1421.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2020.1772967
[12] Rathore, R. S., & Agrawal, R. (2020). Measuring Performance of Business Incubators: A Literature Review and Theoretical Framework Development. In e-journal-First Pan IIT International Management Conference–2018.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3765641
[13] Pattanasak, P., Anantana, T., Paphawasit, B., & Wudhikarn, R. (2022). Critical Factors and Performance Measurement of Business Incubators: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability, 14(8), 4610.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084610
[14] Azadnia, A. H., Stephens, S., Ghadimi, P., & Onofrei, G. (2022). A Comprehensive Performance Measurement Framework for Business Incubation Centres: Empirical Evidence in an Irish Context. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(5), 2437-2455.
https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3036
[15] Sarwono, R., & Trisetyarso, A. (2017). Business Incubator Indicator Service Performance—A Systematic Literature Review. In 2017 International Conference on Applied Computer and Communication Technologies (ComCom) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/COMCOM.2017.8167081
[16] Ranjbar, M. S., Mohammadhashemi, Z., & Rajabzadeh, M. (2024). Evaluating the Performance of Innovation Accelerators in Iran; Survey Based on Logical Model Approach. Journal of Economic Ecosystem Studies, 4(2), 61-82. {In Persian}
https://doi.org/10.22111/innoeco.2024.50039.1125
[17] Romero Jeldres, M., Díaz Costa, E., & Faouzi Nadim, T. (2023). A Review of Lawshe’s Method for Calculating Content Validity in the Social Sciences. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 8, p. 1271335). Frontiers Media SA.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1271335
[18] Rezaei, J. (2015). Best-Worst Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method. Omega, 53, 49-57.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2014.11.009
[19] Galbraith, B., McAdam, R., & Cross, S. E. (2019). The Evolution of the Incubator: Past, Present, and Future. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(1), 265-271.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2019.2905297
[20] Torun, M., Peconick, L., Sobreiro, V., Kimura, H., & Pique, J. (2018). Assessing Business Incubation: A Review on Benchmarking. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 2(3), 91-100.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2018.08.002
[21] Barbero, J. L., Casillas, J. C., Ramos, A., & Guitar, S. (2012). Revisiting Incubation Performance: How Incubator Typology Affects Results. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 79(5), 888-902
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2011.12.003
[22] Yuan X, Hao H, Guan C, Pentland A (2022) Which Factors Affect the Performance of Technology Business Incubators in China? An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Perspective. PLoS ONE 17(1): e0261922.
 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261922
[23] Kulkarni, P., Tigadi, B., Gokhale, P., & K, L. (2024). University Incubators Performance Through the Lens of Institutional Theory. Vilakshan-XIMB Journal of Management.
https://doi.org/10.1108/XJM-02-2024-0029
[24] Gozali, L., Masrom, M., Zagloel, T.Y.M., Haron, H.N., Garza-Reyes, J.A., Tjahjono, B., Irawan, A.P., Daywin, F.J., Syamas, A.F., Susanto, S., Aliwarga, H.K.K., Marie, I.A., 2020. Performance Factors for Successful Business Incubators in Indonesian Public Universities. International Journal of Technology. Volume 11(1), pp. 155-166
https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v11i1.2464
[25] Habiburrahman, Prasetyo, A., Raharjo, T. W., Rinawati, H. S., Trisnani, Eko, B. R., Wahyudiyono, Wulandari, S. N., Fahlevi, M., Aljuaid, M., & Heidler, P. (2022). Determination of Critical Factors for Success in Business Incubators and Startups in East Java. Sustainability, 14(21), 14243.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114243
[26] Fuschi, D. L., & Galiyeva, N. (2022). Proposal for a Set of Business Incubator Performance Metrics Based System and Model Analysis. Journal of Organisational Studies & Innovation, 9(2).
https://doi.org/10.51659/josi.22-167
[27] Gandhi, V., Syed, A. A., & Kumar, S. (2021). A Study of Performance Indicators of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in India. Management Dynamics, 21(1), 14-23.
https://doi.org/10.57198/2583-4932.1006
[28] Gerdsri, N., Iewwongcharoen, B., Rajchamaha, K., Manotungvorapun, N., Pongthanaisawan, J., & Witthayaweerasak, W. (2021). Capability Assessment toward Sustainable Development of Business Incubators: Framework and Experience Sharing. Sustainability, 13(9), 4617.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094617
[29] Gurgel, G. M. M., Vieira, F. D., & Rodrigues, C. S. (2017). Performance of Business Incubators: A Systematic Review of Evidence. In 2017 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC) (pp. 852-857). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICE.2017.8279972
[30] Tsygankov, N. S., Petrunina, A. E., Moskalev, A. K., & Valkova, Y. E. (2020). Business Incubator Assessment Model. In IOP conference series: materials science and engineering (Vol. 986, No. 1, p. 012016). IOP Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/986/1/012016
 
 
Journal of Science and Technology Policy
Volume 18, Issue 3 - Serial Number 67
Special Issue: "The Role of Various Intermediary Organizations in Facilitating Entrepreneurship Development in Iran's Innovation Ecosystem"
October 2025
Pages 41-58

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics