Title: Human capital management at incubators successful in new firm creation: evidence from Japan

Authors: Nobuya Fukugawa

Addresses: Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Japan

Abstract: This study quantitatively examined characteristics of incubators which were successful in new firm creation, with a focus on human capital management according to technologies and life cycle stages of startups to which incubators gave support. The results of panel estimation reveal that the breadth of professional experiences of incubation managers is positively associated with new firm creation in electronics, while specialisation matters for the creation of biotechnology startups. Incubation managers' professional experience in technological development is positively associated with the creation of biotechnology startups. These effects are observed in incubators which give support to nascent entrepreneurs, and not in those supporting startups in the early growth stage. Alliance with and proximity to universities are positively associated with success of incubators assisting nascent entrepreneurs, of which effect is limited to the creation of biotechnology startups.

Keywords: business incubators; entrepreneurship; incubation managers; innovation intermediaries; innovation policy; knowledge-based economies; sectoral innovation systems; economic growth; new firm creation; Japan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2018.096175

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2018 Vol.35 No.4, pp.538 - 558

Received: 11 Oct 2016
Accepted: 01 Apr 2017
Published online: 15 Nov 2018 *

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