INCUBATOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Business incubator (or “Incubator”) is a comprehensive support model designed to facilitate the growth of startups and newly established enterprises by providing a range of services including shared resources, training, financial support, equipment, and infrastructure. These resources aimed at helping businesses develop and succeed. This study explores global research trends on business incubators through a bibliometric analysis of 144 publications from 2015 to 2024 indexed in the Web of Science. Using CiteSpace software, the study identifies leading countries, key research domains, and emerging thematic clusters. The results reveal a growing interest in incubator research, with the United States emerging as a central hub and management, and business as dominant disciplines. Key themes in the research include entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation, and university-based incubators. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for researchers and policymakers, helping to shape better incubator strategies and support innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Strengthening these strategies will enable incubators to provide more effective support for startups, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation on a global scale.