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Towards a Unified Virtual Business Incubator Model: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Roberto Vaz

    (CEOS.PP, Porto Accounting and Business School, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, S. Mamede de Infesta, 4465-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • João Vidal de Carvalho

    (CEOS.PP, Porto Accounting and Business School, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, S. Mamede de Infesta, 4465-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sandrina Francisca Teixeira

    (CEOS.PP, Porto Accounting and Business School, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, S. Mamede de Infesta, 4465-004 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Virtual business incubators have been highlighted for their positive impacts in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in several business areas, contributing to sustainable economic growth and social development. However, despite their crucial roles, previous literature emphasizes that research concerning their business models has been largely ignored, and several important issues are still unaddressed. This article aims to contribute to filling this gap and advancing this field by providing the first bibliometric and systematic literature review, as far as the authors know, concerning virtual business incubator models. The main results reveal the following: that academic production is relatively new, fragmented, and develops under a diversity of research paths; the analyzed models ( n = 12) have only some dimensions in common and are proposed based on three different perspectives (business organization and management, information and communication systems, and user experience); there is not a virtual business incubator model more suitable to support digital businesses or startups creation. Based on the results, it is argued that there is a need to further develop a model towards a unified virtual business incubator by actively involving different stakeholders during its design. This research can help managers, academics, and other professionals interested in running virtual business incubator programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Vaz & João Vidal de Carvalho & Sandrina Francisca Teixeira, 2022. "Towards a Unified Virtual Business Incubator Model: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:20:p:13205-:d:942279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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