Title: Incubation as co-creation: case study of proactive technology business development

Authors: Päivi Eriksson; Juha Vilhunen; Kalevi Voutilainen

Addresses: Business School, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland ' Kuopio Innovation Ltd., PL 4000, 70601 Kuopio, Finland ' Kuopio Innovation Ltd., PL 4000, 70601 Kuopio, Finland

Abstract: The paper reports the findings of an exploratory case study focusing on the management of business incubation through the theoretical lens of 'co-creation'. This approach conceptualises business incubation as a process that the incubation managers attempt to orchestrate through active collaboration with the other actors involved in the incubation process. Based on the reflexive action research strategy, which provides an insider view of the incubation managers, the study illustrates how they pro-actively seek to engage the incubation parties in continuous dialogue concerning business development. The case study illustrates how the construction of a joint sphere of interaction and mutual influence among the incubation parties is a key management activity. Furthermore, the wide ranging catalyst role of incubation managers in particular is central to the perspective of co-creation of value to the client's business.

Keywords: business incubation; co-creation; business development; technology business; innovation management; entrepreneurship; case study; proactive development; reflexive action research; incubation management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2014.064718

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2014 Vol.18 No.5/6, pp.382 - 396

Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

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