Innovation Systems in European Countries: A SWOT Analysis

The purpose of this research is to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) of innovation systems models and their potential use worldwide. After a literature review, the authors studied five European case studies, which are described and analyzed along key dimensions derived from the case studies. The results highlight the similarities and differences between the countries. This study adds new and useful knowledge for both academics and practitioners who are interested in systems innovation. In addition to providing original guidance and suggestions, the paper also provides recommendations to implement successful adoption of the innovation systems strengths. The authors’ conclusion is that adaptation of innovation systems leads to 1) Industry Networking 2) Platform for Policy Decisions 3) High technology innovation 4) Government is an active player as Stakeholders and 5) To support the growth of the economy. Keywords: Innovation, Economic growth, Case study, Entrepreneurial firms

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization in Developing Countries: A GCC Perspective in an International Context

Purpose - Innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization (IET) are critical elements in diversification of economy worldwide. Researchers and practitioners alike are claiming positive effects of IET on the economic development. However, the successful  implementation in developing countries such as a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) needs further investigation for successful implementation for growth and development. The purpose of the study is, therefore, to  identify the similarities and differences based on the three   categories of IET such as economy, policy and industry with a focus on the GCC states, as well as developing countries. Methodology/approach - This paper based on a wide literature review, and a multi-case study. The authors’ professional experience on the topic provides the foundation for this paper. Findings - The findings of this research can help practitioners such as governments and policy maker to implements successfully and extend the climate of smart growth. Practical implications - The results highlight implications successfully from different levels such as economic, social, political, organizational  and  institutional. Originality/value - This study makes a contribution to knowledge about the effect of (IET) in developing countries, as well as GCC states. Keywords: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Technology Commercialization,  Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCC)

The Key Successes of Incubators in Developed Countries: Comparative Study

The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare key dimension of the business incubation landscape in the United States. The comparison will focused on the five key dimensions which include incubators services provided by incubators to client firms, strategic goals, incubators’ sponsors, incubators age and incubators focus. The nature of this research is mainly qualitative. This investigation uses two semi-structured interviews based in the United States and organizational documents. The research findings suggest that there are three keys. The authors believe that, this paper presents an added value to the current literature on the key dimension of business incubation in the United States. Also the research will support the academia and practitioner for successful implementations and follow-up. Keywords: Jobs creation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, incubators, economic growth

Towards a New Vision for Sustainability of Incubator Best Practices Model in the Years to Come

Incubators are internationally recognized as a premier 21st century location for technology and technology-based economic development. The purpose of this paper is to identify the similarities and differences of business incubation programs worldwide. The study focuses on six key success indicators and points out proposed incubators model in the years to come. The approach to the design methodology is based on survey and interviews implanted on 100 selected incubators. The research findings indicate the similarities of incubators programs that are 1) Creating jobs, 2) Enhancing community’s entrepreneurial climate, and 3) Tangible services and the differences are 1) Incubators type, 2) Finical status, and 3) Incubators age. The research adds value to current literature on new visions for sustainability of incubators best practice models for the coming year. Finally, it provides useful guidelines for implementation to both academies and practitioners involved with incubators worldwide. Keywords: Technology incubators, innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, economic development

Incubators as Tools for Economic Growth and Technology Transfer in Developed Countries

The aim of this paper is to explore, investigate and identify the key challenges of incubators focussing on four groups: economy, policy, industry, and culture. The identification is based on several varibles for each group. The nature of this research is mainly qualitative. This investigation uses one semi-structured interview based in the United States and organizational documents. The research findings suggest that there are three key challenges of incubators: 1) high number of jobs creation, high number of graduate companies and high survival rate of tenants lead to economic development, 2) high cooperation of R&D and high innovation lead to technology commercialization, and 3) high sustainable growth, high entrepreneurial climate and high smart-growth networking lead to fostering entrepreneurship. The authors believe that this paper presents added value to the current literature on the key challenges of business incubation in the United States. Also the research will support academia and practitioners for successful implementations and follow up. Keywords: Jobs creation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, incubators, economic growth

Indicators of the Innovation: The case of the United Kingdom

The purpose of this paper is to describe and identify key performance indicators of the innovation program landscape in the United Kingdom (UK). The identification will focus on the four categories: policy, culture, economy, and industry, and each category will use four indicators for a total 16 indicators. The nature of this research is mainly qualitative. This investigation uses one semi-structured interview based in the UK, combined with an examination of organizational documents. The research findings indicated high ratings for indicators in all four categories of culture, policy, economy, industry, averaging 90%, 90%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. The authors believe that this paper presents added value to the current literature and for practitioners of innovation programs, including governments, policy makers, funded organizations, and strategic institutions. Keywords: Innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, incubators, economic growth

Incubators, Economic Development, and Diversification in Developing Countries

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate, analyze, and identify the ratio of performance indicators for each incubator over the years of establishment in developing countries including Kuwait as well as GCC. Design methodology/approach: The methodology of this study is qualitative, consisting of literature review and multi-case studies. This investigation uses three case studies and the data was mainly collected by direct interview with five managers and analysis of organizational documents from Kuwait. The authors’ professional experiences on the topic provide the foundation for the paper. Findings: The findings of this research can help incubator managers, policy makers, and government parties for successful implementation. Also, the findings add new knowledge for academic literature on incubators and economic development. Originality: The authors believe that this paper has proven successful implementation of incubators and economic development. The recommendations will be helpful for both academicians and practitioners who are interested in incubators. Keywords: Economic development, incubators, economic diversification, job creation, entrepreneurship

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

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this research is to analyze and identify the challenges and opportunities of innovation and incubators programs and their potential use worldwide. Prior work Discussed innovation and incubators as a powerful tool for knowledge-based economy from different perspectives using different criteria to measure the key performance indicators of best practices for innovation in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCC). The results are part of the ongoing research project funded by a grant from the Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS-2012-1103-01). Approach The methodology is based on quantitative approach (survey questionnaire) and literature review. Results This paper provides several recommendations for the international implementation of innovation and incubators outcomes. Implications This paper provides value-added knowledge for both academics and practitioners who are interested in the successful adaptation of innovation and incubators. Value The authors believe that this paper demonstrates an added value to the current literature on innovation and incubators and fills the gap in the case studies in the literature of developed and developing countries and presents a more comprehensive analysis of progress and challenges to knowledge-based economies

Beyond Incubators: Youth Entrepreneurship Generation

Purpose of this paper is to explore, investigate and identify the youth entrepreneurship dimension as an outcome from business incubation program. The identification is based on successful implementation of case studies. Methodology/approach: The research methodologies adopted in this research study are desk-research and case study of 5 incubator organisations in the developing countries. Findings: The findings of this study indicate the entrepreneurial spirit of business incubation program and lead to sustain incubators. Practical implications: The empirical results highlight some implications for successfully developing and implementing best practice of creating an entrepreneurial generation to support economic development. Originality/value: This study makes a contribution to knowledge about the youth entrepreneurship. Keywords: Jobs creation, developing countries, entrepreneurship, incubation progra