Apprenteneurship framework: A comprehensive support guide for public business incubation

Background: Business incubators are recognised for the entrepreneurial support services they offer incubatees towards their performance. However, challenges have been identified regarding the effectiveness of types of services provided by public incubators. The study aims to provide insights into the services that incubatees require from business incubators. Aim: This study investigates ways the Northern Cape (NC) public business incubators can support their incubatees effectively through relevant service offerings. Setting: The ecosystem of business incubation in the NC consists of 4 public business incubators and approximately 50 business incubatees. Methods: A qualitative methodological approach with purposive sampling was employed to gather data from 4 business incubator managers; 17 incubatees and 10 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) owners with business experience. Interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using ATLAS.ti. Results: A framework was proposed that encapsulates how public incubators (from pre- to post-incubation) can support incubatees and promote entrepreneurship. Effective incubation is coupled with the key support service of industry-specific mentorship and completing the Apprenteneurship Framework for effective incubation. This framework offers guidance for an incubatee-centric approach, distinguishing itself from the generic ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy typically employed in public business incubation within the NC. An addition, it provides clear guidelines for incubators to enhance their support services. Conclusion: Business incubators need to align their support services offered with the specific needs of their incubatees to ensure effective incubation. This can be achieved by adapting the Apprenteneurship Framework to incorporate an incubation approach focussed on personalised services that enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of incubatees. Contribution: A new term was coined – apprenteneurship – which amalgamates the concepts of business incubation and entrepreneurship-centred apprenticeship all envisioned to promote effective incubation. Keywords: business incubators; incubatees; entrepreneurial support services; SMMEs development framework; Northern Cape; South Africa.