A Holistic Approach of Incubator Strategies in the Entrepreneurial Support Ecosystem
Résumé
Entrepreneurial support ecosystem consists of multiple diversified players. Incubators, as central part of the entrepreneurial support ecosystem are crucial as they build the bridge between incubatees and their external environment. Our study aims to explore the strategic relationships of incubators with the other ecosystem players by engaging ecosystem and strategic alignment theories. The study investigate the articulation of specialization and diversification strategies (internal alignment) with those of coopetition (external alignment). We use a qualitative exploratory study based on 48 semi-structured interviews of five case studies related to the main types of incubators identified. This ecosystem methodology promotes a holistic approach to explore strategic relationships within the entrepreneurial support ecosystem by crossing the strategic visions of different players. Our main results show that incubators differentiate themselves by using various combinations of individual and collective strategies with regard to their organizational characteristics and external environment. These results provide a better understanding of the entrepreneurial support ecosystem for all ecosystem players. Incubator managers may use the ecosystem concept to represent their environment and build their strategy. Policy makers may encourage incubators to engage in coopetitive strategies for optimizing resources, reducing duplication between them and reinforcing consistency within the entrepreneurial support ecosystem.