Towards a new generation of incubators? Conceptual debate on their role in sustainable transition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55444/2451.7321.2024.v62.n1.46540Keywords:
Business incubators, Intermediaries, Sustainable business model, Sustainable transition, EntrepreneurshipAbstract
The social, environmental, and economic tensions of the 21st century highlight the urgent need to rethink development and assess how ecosystem actors support or obstruct the transition to more sustainable systems. Notably, while established companies are increasingly pressured to adopt sustainable models, entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems still prioritize economic and financial sustainability for emerging businesses. This paper explores this issue, focusing on business incubators and emphasizing their role as intermediary organizations. Given their position within the ecosystem, incubators can drive the transition in two key ways: by fostering new forms of exchange among ecosystem actors and by nurturing a new generation of ventures designed to be sustainable from the outset. Addressing these questions is particularly important, as without a clear commitment to sustainability, incubators risk perpetuating unsustainable business models.
Reception date: 30/09/2024
Acceptance date: 11/12/2024
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