Identifying resource-based determinants of technology business incubator performance in Indonesia

Type of the article: Research Article This study investigates the determinants of technology business incubator (TBI) performance in Indonesia using the Resource-Based View (RBV) framework. Startups play a vital role in fostering innovation, yet their sustainability is often challenged by weak managerial capacity, limited access to finance, and fragile networks. Business incubators are designed to mitigate these barriers by providing infrastructure, mentoring, and strategic connections, but their performance varies widely. This research aims to identify which internal and external resources most strongly influence incubator outcomes in the Indonesian context. A quantitative design was employed, with data collected from 100 incubators across government, university, and private institutions. Structured questionnaires were administered to incubator leaders and managers, and responses were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The constructs examined included infrastructure, networking, incubator capabilities, and linkages with universities, with measurement validity and reliability confirmed through composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and discriminant validity tests. The findings show that networking (β = 0.417, p = 0.001) and infrastructure (β = 0.342, p = 0.012) have significant positive effects on incubator performance. In contrast, incubator capabilities (β = 0.162, p = 0.119) and linkages with universities (β = 0.087, p = 0.263) were statistically insignificant, indicating these resources may not directly enhance performance in the current Indonesian setting. The study contributes theoretically by reaffirming RBV as a robust framework for explaining incubator success in emerging economies. Practically, it highlights the priority of investing in strong networks and quality infrastructure to strengthen incubators and accelerate the growth of Indonesia’s startup ecosystem.