Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects in Jordan

Purpose This study aims to disclose the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects. Design/methodology/approach The descriptive approach was adopted in this study and the statistical analyses and tests were performed on the collected data such as arithmetic means, standard deviation, two-way ANOVA test, and factor analysis using the statistical analysis program (SPSS). The study tool was built by investigating many scientific studies that intersect with the goals and objectives of the study and the questionnaire used in this study consisted of two dimensions: The first dimension contained demographic data such as gender and academic qualification. The second dimension included one main variable, namely impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects. Findings Results revealed that the impact of COVID-19 on the incubated creative and entrepreneurship projects was high. In the factor analysis, three factors were extracted that explained the impacts of the COVID-19 on the incubated entrepreneurial projects: “Pandemic impact factor”, “Incubator readiness factor”, and “Entrepreneur readiness factor”. Moreover, the results of the study indicated that the most severe impacts of the pandemic were in the period 17 March 2020 to 17 September 2020. Research limitations/implications This study provides insight into the specific challenges that entrepreneurs and innovators faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasizes the need for further research to develop effective strategies to support entrepreneurs during crisis situations. Moreover, the findings have practical implications for policymakers, business leaders highlighting the importance of enhancing the business environment as well as fostering collaboration to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Practical implications The study will help to develop eco-system of incubators in a professional manner. Social implications As a result of creating excellent incubators, the companies that are derived from will help to improve sociality. Originality/value The study examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incubated creative and entrepreneurial projects in Jordan. 2. The number of studies that examine such effects on incubators are limited and especially in Jordan. 3. Generalizing the results at local and international levels will improve entrepreneurship in various countries.