Exploring Business Models for Business Incubators:A Multi-Tiered Framework
With the rapid development of knowledge economy,the function of business incubators has been constantly updated and evolved,and business value creation mechanism has been different from the past.It needs to be further clarified whether the existing incubators have adjusted their value proposition or still maintain the original business operation mode.Research on existing incubators should avoid too much data description,and should actively explore and establish the consistency theory that leads to the differences in incubator development.In addition,the business model of business incubators has gradually undergone diversified evolution over time,and there are few systematic frameworks that can reflect the multi-level and dynamic evolution of the business model of business incubators,which is also the deficiency of existing studies.It is of theoretical significance to reveal the essential characteristics and explore the law of the evolution of business model of business incubators over time.Based on this,the study first adopts the grounded theory research method and NVivo11 and other software,through the open coding,spindle coding,selective coding and theoretical saturation test,to get the basic framework of its business model,including three dimensions of value proposition,value production and value acquisition.After that,this study further uses the multi-case comparative research method to systematically analyze the above three dimensions of business model from the three levels of basic,intermediate and advanced respectively.The paper deeply explores the evolution direction and purpose of different dimensions of the business model,and finally constructs the multi-tiered theoretical framework.The research results of the paper mainly include the following four aspects.First,business incubators have long been not only a tangible arrangement for start-ups,but also an effective organization that"incorporates knowledge services into its value proposition".The development of many business incubators is led by the government,so their value and mission will drift,making it is particularly important to maintain strategic consistency.Second,business incubators mainly generate value through tangible services,intangible services and network services.This process mainly aims at the pursuit of learning effect and legitimacy.The learning effect is mostly reflected in the experiential learning and ability cultivation of tenants,while the network service will increase the knowledge accumulation degree of both parties and increase the legitimacy status of tenants in the market.Third,business incubators ultimately need to secure benefits through commissions,support service charges and the acquisition of added value,but sustained and stable cash flow and profitability must depend on a lower cost structure.Finally,there is an inherent feedback and evolution process in the business model of business incubators,which is ultimately reflected in the clarification of the value proposition of business incubators.Usually,the value proposition of business incubators in the early stage is vague,but as time goes by,business incubators will explore more efficient ways of value creation and constantly improve their own value proposition,so as to ensure the consistency of strategy.To sum up,the theoretical system of business model of business incubators is more hierarchical and systematic,which is consistent with the theory of incubation ecosystem system emphasized at this stage.The study reveals the essential characteristics of business model of business incubators,and explores the law of the evolution of business model of business incubators over time.The study is of great theoretical significance for strengthening the construction of the theoretical system of business incubators,and for clarifying the orientation and evolution direction and derivative logic of the business models of business incubators.At the same time,the study can provide a reference for the government departments to further improve the relevant policies to support the development of business incubators.
business incubatorbusiness modelgrounded theorycase studyvalue creationmulti-tiered framework
国家科技期刊平台
NSTL
万方数据
