selection criteria; social impact incubator; social entrepreneurship; social enterprise; conjoint analysis
Abstract :
[en] Social impact incubators (SIIs) are a new type of incubator that support social
enterprises (SEs) in their early business stages to foster and develop their hybrid
objectives. However, research on SIIs is still scarce, and little is known about SIIs’
motives, supporting activities, and selection criteria. In investigating 71 SII decision-
makers, we find the societal duty motive stated as “most important,” while the financial
motive is stated as “least important.” Furthermore, we identify the authenticity of
the founding team and the importance of the societal problem addressed as SIIs’
most important selection criteria. However, significant heterogeneity exists within
the group of SIIs with regard to their selection criteria. In particular, SIIs with strong
innovation and societal duty motives stand out and differ in their SE selection criteria
from other SIIs. Our results extend prior research on SIIs and contribute to the
discussion on the selection criteria of SE supporters.
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