Firm characteristics and internal and external dimensions: Differences between incubatees and non-incubator firms in Sweden

Book chapter, 2021

Chapter 29 examines the differences between incubatees and non-incubator outside firms in terms of business performance along four dimensions: growth orientation, external financing, partnerships, and business networks. This study uses data from a 2016 survey covering 401 Swedish NTBFs, of which 38 firms were in incubators (incubatees) and 363 firms were not (non-incubator outside firms). The differences in these dimensions can be an important factor for firms’ future business performance. An underlying assumption and the rationale is that new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in incubators regard these dimensions, more important than do NTBFs off incubators. Results on all four dimensions are supported because incubatees regard them as more important than do non-incubator firms.