Title: How entrepreneurial characteristics and incubation facilities shape venture creation among technology business incubators in Nigeria

Authors: Caleb Muyiwa Adelowo; Oluwaseun O. Oladimeji

Addresses: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, North-West University, 11, Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa; National Centre for Technology Management, PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria ' African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 220005, Nigeria

Abstract: Technology business incubation contributes greatly to nurturing and growing young and innovative enterprises in both developed and developing countries. It should be noted that the personal entrepreneurial characteristics (PECs) of the tenants also matter for them to succeed. Therefore, paying attention to tenants' PECs, which moderate the influence of incubation facilities on venture creation, is important for policy and practice. In this paper, we explore the influence of tenants' PECs and the contribution of incubator facilities to successful venture creation among selected incubators. Data were collected from 58 tenants across six technology business incubators (TBIs) in South-West Nigeria using a validated questionnaire. The results show that tenants' PECs are relatively high, except for demand for quality and information seeking, which are low. Regression analysis revealed that PECs significantly moderate the influence of incubation facilities on venture creation. The implications of these findings are drawn, and appropriate policy suggestions to improve incubators' performance are formulated.

Keywords: incubators; start-ups; SMEs; small and medium enterprises; innovation; PECs; personal entrepreneurial characteristics; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTE.2024.137530

International Journal of Technoentrepreneurship, 2024 Vol.5 No.1, pp.49 - 66

Received: 31 Dec 2022
Accepted: 23 May 2023
Published online: 22 Mar 2024 *

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