Performance and efficiency evaluation of technology business incubators

Purpose Technology business incubators (TBI) are strategic for developing innovative businesses, which have attracted attention from both professionals and researchers. While the scientific literature has typically focused on investigating performance indicators to evaluate TBI, there is also an emerging approach focusing on the efficiency concept for such performance assessment. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the research progress of performance and efficiency evaluation of TBIs and provide a combined approach. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a systematic literature review that resulted in the abstract analysis of 945 documents from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, and the selection of 159 studies for full analysis. Findings The research identified patterns that guided the definition of four TBI archetypes (i.e. basic research, university, socioeconomic development and private), and a compilation of critical success factors, impact factors, and indicators on performance and efficiency. These findings resulted in the development of a framework that synthesises the state-of-the-art on the topic of performance and efficiency of TBIs. This article also developed a research agenda to foster progress on the topic. Originality/value This study contributes to expanding the current understanding of performance and efficiency in TBIs and BIs in general by providing three main contributions: (1) insights into the current state-of-the-art of research on the topic; (2) a framework designed in a circular approach for periodical application and suggested indicators for different TBI archetypes – which is entirely new in comparison with the previous research, overcoming limitations from other design approaches, and easing its adoption by researchers and professionals, and; (3) a research agenda to promote continuous progress on the topic.