Rubin, T. H., et al. (2015). "Knowledge flow in Technological Business Incubators: Evidence from Australia and Israel." Technovation 41: 11-24.

Format: Peer-reviewed journal article

Type: Non-experimental study

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: Technical business incubators exist to improve small businesses chance of success. Incubators provide management expertise and access to knowledge that technology developers would likely not have access to otherwise. Studies previously had examined their overall success with mixed results. This study examines different phases of research and development within incubators with regard to the flow of both technical and non-technical knowledge. Authors determine incubated projects have greater access to technological knowledge, market knowledge, and financial resources.  Research indicates universities are more valuable for product development than idea origination.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Federal lab, Government, Large business, Small business, University.

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Fundamental

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Basic

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

Incubators are not operated by any one model and offer different services to varying degrees. Their effectiveness is difficult to study.
Case study findings
Occurrences within model: KTA 6.B

• Incubators strive to stimulate entrepreneurship in entrepreneurs’ early phases. They provide amenities including affordable rent, networking, business and management expertise, administrative services and access to financial resources.
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK 1.1, 3.1, 3.4
• Cooperation with outside agencies via incubators is a means to access information and resources that would be outside their means otherwise.
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK 1.1, 3.1, 3.2
• Typically incubators cultivate specific regional attributes, be they organizational structures, operation policies, or institutional affiliations to better serve local incubatees.
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK 1.1, 3.1, 3.4
• Relationships between incubators and universities can be a channel for knowledge sharing and technology transfer. 
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NTK 3.1, 4.1, 4.6, KTA 6.A

• Incubators can be categorized into classifications. Classify potential incubators by different elements to better compare them: private/public, by services offered, by value specialty, or by industry.
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NTK 3.1, 4.1
• Incubators often tout networking as a major attribute because social networks are informal and valuable relationships which take time and positioning to build.
  Case study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK 2.2, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1, 4.10, KTA 3.C

Physical proximity to an incubator after graduation has the added benefit of continued access to networks formed during incubation.
Case study findings
Occurrences within model: NTK 3.1, 4.1