The Incubation of Technology-Intensive New Businesses

Abstract

The changing South African business environment and the present world-wide focus of governments on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to assist in local economic development have once more placed the focus on business development programmes. The main objective of this study is then also to determine how a business incubation programme can play a role in the development of SMMEs in a South African business environment, particularly from a policy viewpoint. In order to establish a foundational basis for discussion, the study commences with an examination of the concepts of new venture creation. The subsequent chapters take a closer look at business incubation, the various different approaches that exist, the various aspects that are involved in the design of an incubator, and incubation and technology transfer. With this new combined foundational basis of new venture creation and business incubation, this new economic development tool can be evaluated. The evaluation does not only consider the output in terms of financial input, but also against the various other factors that are needed for successful incubation. Finally, the study also presents case studies to provide the necessary background to the current incubation situation in South Africa. The importance and role of business incubation in the development of local SMMEs is evident from the combined findings of this investigation.

Afrikaans: Die huidige verandering in die Suid Afiikaanse besigheidsomgewing, sowel as die verwagtinge van verskeie regerings dat klein, medium en mikro besighede die plaaslike ekonomie sal versterk, bet weereens die aandag op plaaslike ontwikkelings programme geplaas. Die hoof doel van hierdie studie is dus om te bepaal hoe 'n besigheids inkubasie program 'n rol kan speel in die ontwikkeling van klein besighede in 'n Suid Afrikaanse besigheidsomgewing. Die klem van die ondersoek val dan ook meer vanuit 'n beleids oogpunt. Om te verseker dat 'n goeie fondament vir bespreking bestaan, begin die studie met 'n ondersoek na die beginsels van entrepreneurskap en besigheidsvorming. Die opeenvolgende hoofstukke bestudeer die verskillende aspekte van besigheids inkubasie, onder andere: die verskillende benaderinge tot die beginsel van inkubasie, die verskillende faktore wat betokke is in die ontwerp van 'n inkubator, tegnologie oordrag, ens. Met hierdie nuwe basis van besigheids ontwikkeling en inkubasie, kan die proses van besigheids inkubasie as 'n instrument vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling geevalueer word. Die evaluasie vergelyk nie net die uitset van inkubsie teen die finansieele inset nie, maar ook teen al die ander faktore wat nodig is vir suksesvolle inkubasie. Ten slotte, verskaf die studie ook 'n gevallestudie om die nodige agtergrond te verskaf oor die toestand van inkubasie in Suid Afrika. Die belangrike rol wat inkubasie speel in die ontwikkeling van lokale klein besighede kom duidelik na voor wanneer die studie in geheel beskou word.