Michael Busler

Business Incubators Findings from a Worldwide Survey, and Guidance for the GCC States

Business incubators can help young firms to survive and grow during their start-up years, and can play a key role in the economic development of a community or region. In developing countries, like Kuwait and the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, business incubators can be particularly valuable in helping to develop local economies, promote technology transfer, create new enterprises and generate jobs. There is potentially a wealth of information available about the characteristics of and services offered by business incubators in the US and other countries, which can be used to inform the development of incubator programmes within these countries. To tap into this information, an Internet-based survey was conducted with a sample of business incubators worldwide. The survey results are used to make recommendations about how to maximize the success of incubators, including matching services offered to the needs of clients and involving a range of community stakeholders in the development of their programmes. A number of options are proposed for developing and expanding the business incubator concept in Kuwait and the GCC member states.

Business incubators models of the USA and UK: A SWOT analysis

Purpose: To identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of business incubator models and their potential use in worldwide. Methodology: We studied two international cases: (a) United States, (b) United Kingdom. Findings: The results highlight the similarities and differences between the countries. It adds knowledge for both academics and practitioners who are interested in business incubation. Value: This paper is the first to utilize the SWOT technique to analyze the business incubation field and provides recommendations to implement successful adoption of the incubator’s strengths. The potential of Business Incubators who act as models in worldwide and their contribution to the economy, the active role they play in the local, regional and national economic development are discussed. Implications: Adaptation of a Business Incubator Model leads to (1) the support of diverse economies, (2) the commercialization of new technologies, (3) job creation and (4) increases in wealth, given that weaknesses can be overcome.

‘Internetization Management’: The Way to Run the Strategic Alliances in the E-globalization Age

In the traditional economy, partnership forms are managed through classical styles. However, the traditional economy is successively being transferred into an IT-based economy where classical globalization is shifting towards e-Globalization. We argue, in this article, for a different type of management paradigm which has the potential to be used in the management of strategic alliance structuring. The new form is designated as ‘Internetization Management’. This new term was first suggested by Abouzeedan et al. (2003). In our analysis, we found that this new form of management can be a potential tool to construct and operate strategic alliances.

Categories of incubator success: a case study of three New York incubator programmes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and identify three categories of incubators in the USA located in New York (NY). The incubator categories are: technology commercialisation; economic development; and entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a qualitative approach based on interviews concerning three incubator programmes selected for their successful outcomes. Findings – The research findings suggest four priorities for incubators: to be dynamic models of self-sustainable, efficient business development; to provide helpful tools for generating jobs; to foster and support enterprise and innovation to create the best environment for the start-up and smart growth of businesses; and to support value-added businesses through various means, such as developing the region’s science parks and R&D centres, improving collaboration between universities, and supporting business investment and growth. Originality/value – The research adds value to academicians and practitioners...

Incubator successes: Lessons learned from successful incubators towards the twenty-first century

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, discuss and analyse the successful adoption of incubators worldwide; and second, the lessons learned from successful incubators towards the twenty-first century. Design/methodology/approach – The research methodologies adopted in this study are a mixed-methods approach: quantitative (survey) and qualitative (five international case studies). Findings – Incubators contribute to the international economy and play a vital role not only in the economic recovery but also in smart growth and economic development. These findings will assist incubator managers, policy makers and government parties in successful implementation of incubator policies. Research limitations/implications – This research focuses on specific lessons. More in-depth research may find additional positive traits. Practical implications – This research will be of benefit to countries establishing business incubators in order to avoid mistakes and increase the likelihood of success. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the current literate on the best practices worldwide. Furthermore, it presents future perspectives for academicians and practitioners.

Measuring innovation: the use of indicators in developed countries

– The purpose of this paper is to describe and identify the ranking of innovation program landscape in the UK. The identification will focus on the average of four categories: policy, culture, economy, and industry. , – The nature of this research is mainly qualitative. This investigation uses two semi-structured interview based in the UK, combined with an examination of organizational documents. , – The research findings indicated highest ranking of the Petchey Center of Entrepreneurship located in University of East London present culture 60 percent, policy 75 percent, industry 80 percent, and economy 100 percent. , – The authors conclude with several recommendations for academia and practitioners such as governments, policy makers, funded organizations, and strategic institutions.

The financial crisis – Western banking versus Islamic banking

The financial crisis has had a devastating impact on financial markets in the US and other western countries. Particularly hard hit were investors who purchased mortgaged backed securities, since as the value of the asset declined below the amount of debt, investors took large losses. Countries that follow Islamic Banking and Finance (IBF) have largely been spared this loss due to the types of bonds that are allowed. This research summarises the problem in the Western World and then compares it to a similar problem faced by Dubai World who had a (standstill) when they were unable to make a required payment. It appears that holders of Dubai World sukuk will be spared losses because of Islamic banking laws. We examine both the short term and long term effects.

Income tax policy: is a single rate tax optimum for long-term economic growth?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show an optimum income tax policy, given that the government must raise sufficient tax revenue to fund public goods and services as well as income transfer programmes. The paper examines the different types of taxes and then suggests a policy that is efficient, equitable, easy to administer and leads to a higher level of economic growth. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review has been done to find all scholarly work that relates to income tax policy and its effect on economic growth. Results from endogenous growth models have been utilised to determine both the significance and the magnitude of income tax policys effect on the growth rate of real GDP. Findings – After examining the benefits of each type of taxation and reviewing the principles of capitalism, a proportionate (single rate) tax of 12 per cent on all income would be approximately revenue neutral in the USA, and would add to the growth of real GDP, thereby improving the standard of living. ...

Conclusion and Recommendation

This chapter provides the conclusion. The results imply that innovation centers and incubator programs that provide continuing tangible and intangible services are able to add value to the companies they support. This leads to a high number of tenants in incubator programs and a high number of start-up companies. The most common outcome from innovation is economic growth. In addition innovation systems in developed and developing countries lead to a platform for policy decisions and high technology derivatives. The results of the survey of a sample of seventy-four organizations, ten real interviews focused in the US, UK and GCC, and ten international multi-cases are reported. Key findings and recommendations for guidelines are also presented in this section.

The role of properly structured public-private partnerships in promoting economic development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to find the characteristics that determine the success of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in promoting economic development and specifically to determine the long- and short-term public involvement. Design/methodology/approach – A grounded theory approach is utilized, involving desk research and a review of the current literature, as well as examining case studies. This reduction in data collection was based on the availability of literature and case studies which can be assimilated to develop theoretically justifiable conclusions. Findings – In less-than-developed countries (LDC), the lack of private investment capital severely hinders economic development. In developed countries it is often high risk factors and very large capital investment that slows economic development. In both cases, an input from the public sector is needed. The findings suggest that government involvement should be time limited, so that to achieve long-term success, a public sector exit s...