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University-based incubators’ performance evaluation: a benchmarking approach

Jong-Wen Wann (Department of Applied Economics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan)
Ta-Jung Lu (Institute of Technology and Innovation Management, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan)
Ina Lozada (Institute of Technology and Innovation Management, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan)
Guillermo Cangahuala (Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Piura, Lima, Peru)

Benchmarking: An International Journal

ISSN: 1463-5771

Article publication date: 6 February 2017

1746

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the existing incubation practices and to develop suggestions for other incubations programs’ practitioners, by developing a benchmark study of outstanding Taiwanese university-based incubators (UBIs).

Design/methodology/approach

This research result is based on the methodology for generating a benchmarking from six outstanding Taiwanese UBIs and for other business incubators around the world.

Findings

According to this research result, the authors propose eight key performance indicators (KPIs): three for setting up and operating UBIs and five for incubator functions and services. Among those eight KPIs, the average set-up cost is US$595,000; the average number of incubatees is 22; the length of tenancy is four years; and the growth in incubatees’ turnover is around 15 percent.

Research limitations/implications

Even the samples were outstanding UBIs in Taiwan; for future research, this approach might be applied to a bigger number of incubation centers or UBIs.

Practical implications

Many countries or areas still lack experience in setting up and running business incubators; therefore, practical advices for the managers are crucial for the success of these business incubators, and this benchmarking methodology can be applicable in some of those cases.

Originality/value

The benchmarking methodology for setting up the values of each KPI and the evaluation approach.

Keywords

Citation

Wann, J.-W., Lu, T.-J., Lozada, I. and Cangahuala, G. (2017), "University-based incubators’ performance evaluation: a benchmarking approach", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 34-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-02-2015-0018

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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