Creativity is a phenomenon of human behaviour whereby new and useful things are produced. The products of creativity can be tangible, such as a painting or item of clothing, or they can be intangible, such as an idea or theory. Psychologists recognize that creativity does not exist in a vacuum; instead it is the result of the complex interaction of numerous factors. These factors are both intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic factors relate to inherent aspects of the individual, such as cognitive capability, motivation, and emotional state. Extrinsic factors include environmental influences, such noise, distraction, and social interaction. Certain extrinsic factors also influence intrinsic factors; for example, social interaction, which is extrinsic, can improve mood, which is intrinsic. Organisational psychologists and business researchers have in recent years explored the ways in which the creativity of an individual in a workplace setting is influenced by their environment. The authors of this study have continued that line of research, by performing a qualitative exploratory study into how the business incubator environment influences the creativity of startup employees. Business incubators, organisations that provide office space and development resources to early-stage firms, typically represent themselves as “creative environments” in which creativity can thrive. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews with employees of four different startup companies in two different incubators in Northern Sweden, in order to gauge their experiences of how the incubator environment affected their self-perceived creativity. This study yielded interesting results that to a large degree corroborated extant research, while also raising exciting question for future research. The authors, combining the findings of their study with theories identified in a comprehensive literature review of creativity research, present a conceptual model of creativity in incubators. The model categorises the observed environmental influences of creativity into higher-order and lower-order themes, and discusses the ways in which they affect not just creativity but also each other. The higher order themes are pressure and challenge, affect, and knowledge. The lower order themes are distractions, social interaction, and positive interaction as a reward for creative behaviour. Approach to ideas operates as a mediating theme that influences the relationship between social interaction and knowledge. Business incubators may benefit from the findings and conclusions of this study, as they provide suggestions on how the incubator environment may be modified to better serve the creative needs of their tenants. The relevance of these findings is not limited, however, solely to incubators. Many organisations and institutions recognize the value of creativity, and may be interested to learn of the ways in which the environment interacts with this complex yet crucial phenomenon. Companies, innovators, entrepreneurs, and universities are but a sample of those who might gain from the new perspectives on creativity that this thesis presents.

Background: Environmental problems are a worrying phenomenon, and there is a call for action. One way to face these problems lies in sustainable entrepreneurship. There is an increase in sustainability-oriented incubators supporting these sustainable entrepreneurs on their entrepreneurial journey, using various support systems. However, there is little research available about the support systems sustainability-oriented incubators offer, the importance of these support systems, and the influence of entrepreneurial stages. Purpose: With our study, we provide sustainability-oriented incubator managers with insights into the importance of different support systems, the frequency in which they are offered and the role of different entrepreneurial stages. This allows sustainability-oriented incubators to support their tenants better and, therefore, positively influence sustainable entrepreneurship.  Method: A single case study method has been applied by using a mixed-method approach of qualitative semi-structured interviews and a quantitative questionnaire which was filled in prior to the interviews by the participants. In total, nine participants were interviewed, consisting of seven incubator tenants and two incubator managers. Conclusion: This research has found a high level of importance and frequency of business model support and market research support, irrespective of the different entrepreneurial stages. This implies a constant reiteration process from sustainable entrepreneurs, demanding a strong-intervention role from the sustainability-oriented incubator. Furthermore, this research has found the shortcomings in using the effectuation model for analysing entrepreneurial stages and suggests a different application.

As accountability pressures have increased on community colleges, they have been challenged to demonstrate their value to the communities they serve. One role commonly included in community colleges' mission statements in Tennessee and nationally is support of local economic development. The purpose of the study was to assess the importance and accomplishment of 17 activities and 3 roles of Tennessee community colleges regarding their support of business incubators that provide resource-sharing networks to entrepreneurs in their critical startup phases. To conduct this study, a questionnaire was developed and provided to administrators associated with incubators and incubator tenants to ascertain their perceptions regarding community college support of Tennessee incubators. The questionnaire was administered state wide through the assistance of existing Tennessee business incubator directors. The population for this study was Tennessee administrators associated with the incubators and the incubator tenants. Ninety-seven questionnaires out of 156 were returned, for a 62% response rate. The findings of the study included: (1) there was general agreement between administrators and tenants on their perceptions of the degrees of accomplishment and importance of community college activities supporting incubators; (2) there also was agreement between administrators and tenants that the importance exceeded the accomplishment of community colleges' business incubation activities and aggregative roles; and (3) no relationship existed between demographic and institutional factors and how the tenants and administrators perceived the importance and accomplishment of community colleges' business incubation activities and roles. Conclusions reached from this study were: (1) There was a need for increased community college efforts to support business incubation activities; and (2) demographic and institutional factors did not affect the overall perceptions of the importance and accomplishment of the community colleges' business incubation activities and roles. Recommendations to improve Tennessee community colleges' practice included: (1) Administrative leaders at each community college should increase the time and money they devote to supporting their respective business incubator; and (2) each community college should use the assessment data from this study as a basis for a more detailed evaluation to develop or revise a strategic plan for business incubator support. Recommendations for further research were to replicate this study in other states and for the entire nation. Using this and future studies, college administrators could target their community college services to better serve business incubator needs, thereby supporting the unique economic development activities in their respective service areas. As a consequence, the results of their revised strategic plans for incubator services could demonstrate how those community colleges' economic development efforts are being accountable to their missions.

The aim of this study is to examine incubators which were formed by Innovation Center Iceland right after the financial crisis hit in 2008. The question is whether a new concept can be defined, or a new phenomenon, called “crisis incubation”. This is a concept that has not been studied before. This research is carried out by comparing the incubators formed in Iceland with incubators in six other European countries before the crisis hit, and see if there are any differences between the entrepreneurial processes. According to the study, the main differences between traditional incubators and crisis incubators are the following: Access to crisis incubators is much easier, incubatees within crisis incubators are much less likely to experience problems after they have entered the incubators, and they are much more likely to solve problems they experience. The only problem that incubatees in a crisis incubator are more likely to experience is obtaining finance. The study also finds some similarities between traditional incubators and crisis incubators. Overall, the main results strongly indicate that the differences between the two concepts are so great, that a new phenomenon can be defined, although further research is needed.

This thesis explores the development of an interdisciplinary design incubator and community business center in Richmond, Virginia through the adaptive reuse of a retired, historic school building. In contrast to the deteriorating conditions of Patrick Henry School, renewed growth abounds in its extraordinary site surroundings—the 105 acres of Forest Hill Park, which serves as the virtual backyard of the school building. This dualism provided a prime opportunity for discovering the design possibilities in connecting a built space to its physical surroundings and for giving meaningful new life to an abandoned space.

Business incubation is a dynamic process of business enterprise development. Incubators nurture young firms, helping them to survive and grow during the start-up period. Among various types of incubators the university-based incubators are particularly studied. Although most university incubators are quite successful in terms of the success rate and the growth rate of tenant companies, their financial contributions to the sponsoring universities, however, are still not satisfied. It is found that behind the successful history records there are still some barriers impeding the development of an efficient incubator. In this research, a new model, which integrates merits of public and private incubators into the university incubator, is proposed for the betterment of its management scheme. The goal is to develop a successful incubator, which can earn profits not only for its own financial sustainability but also be able to generate income for the university. The outcomes of this research are summarized as follows: 1. From questionnaire survey around more than 100 university incubators around the world, this research received constructive opinions from incubator experts to support the proposed concept. This inspires the author to consider the necessity of a new incubation model for long-term sustainability. 2. The method of this survey study combines the Delphi Method and Scenario Analysis, called modified Delphi method, for worldwide survey and the Microsoft Excel method for data statistic for both of the Taiwan and worldwide surveys. By breaking down long questionnaire into two successive surveys, the replied rate did significantly increase. 3. An integrative framework for the new incubation model has been proposed for the sustainable operation of university incubator. National Taiwan University has validated this model in a similar way. 4. The process of privatization of university incubator is proposed to meet the university administrative procedure. Both of the government initialized top-down and incubator initialized bottom-up processes are considered. A Business Plan to suit for the proposed incubation company is also designed in this work. The sustainability in terms of financial status has been predicted based on some reasonable assumptions. 5. In order to verify the proposed model, three case studies through on-site visits have been carried out to compare their incubation systems and financial status up-to-date. This can provide a guideline to adjust the proposed model of this work. Finally, a comprehensive conclusion and discussions are given to summarize the contribution and future work of this research.

This paper focuses on identifying factors influencing the financing decisions of growth-oriented start-ups. A sample of 8 business incubator start-ups has been studied within a qualitative research so as to reach that goal. Their fundraising choices are analyzed using supporting financial and psychological theories. Also, the thesis examines the start-ups’ interaction with a business incubator and investors.It is found that growth oriented start-ups use internal funds in the first instance, the lack of financial capital representing the main reason behind this decision. Moreover, it is clear that bank loans are not a viable alternative for start-ups mainly because of the collaterals required. However, debt financing, coming from more accessible sources, is used despite the higher costs, this if it helps in achieving growth. Lastly, equity capital is regarded positively by growth oriented start-ups although it dilutes the control. The reasoning is that control is traded-off with the skills and experience the external investors bring in once with their investments.

Background Exploring the literature stream of the knowledge perspective as well as that of start-ups andincubation, and subsequently bringing the two together. Aim To construct propositions regarding the process of developing managerial capability in incubatedstart-ups. Methodology The study entails 3 start-ups that provide a high technology product. The development ofmanagerial capability was explored through a comparative case study in which founders, businesscoaches and externally recruited employees where interviewed. Findings The process of managerial capability development in incubated start-ups can be deconstructedinto two processes, knowledge acquisition and knowledge integration, where each process presentdistinct attributes in different stages of development of the start-up. This managerial capabilityformation is an incremental process that drives growth.

This thesis explores the ways in which architecture can be used to enhance and support creativity in music by engaging with the urban environment. The investigation will take the form of designing a community scaled performing-arts incubator in downtown Toronto. The arts incubator program is familiar across North America, but often takes the form of either a pastoral retreat or an urban revitalization tool with a focus on community development. This thesis aims to combine both ideas and create an arts-focused facility within the urban environment. Elements of the creative process of music are translated to program-specific, arts-focused design elements that are then described by their relationship to each other and to the city. This thesis aims to create a series of spaces that will enhance the capability of urban musicians to practice their craft and in turn elevate the cultural identity of the place.

Business incubation is a dynamic process of business enterprise development. Incubators nurture young firms, helping them to survive and grow during the start-up period. Among various types of incubators the university-based incubators are particularly studied. Although most university incubators are quite successful in terms of the success rate and the growth rate of tenant companies, their financial contributions to the sponsoring universities, however, are still not satisfied. It is found that behind the successful history records there are still some barriers impeding the development of an efficient incubator. In this research, a new model, which integrates merits of public and private incubators into the university incubator, is proposed for the betterment of its management scheme. The goal is to develop a successful incubator, which can earn profits not only for its own financial sustainability but also be able to generate income for the university. The outcomes of this research are summarized as follows: 1. From questionnaire survey around more than 100 university incubators around the world, this research received constructive opinions from incubator experts to support the proposed concept. This inspires the author to consider the necessity of a new incubation model for long-term sustainability. 2. The method of this survey study combines the Delphi Method and Scenario Analysis, called modified Delphi method, for worldwide survey and the Microsoft Excel method for data statistic for both of the Taiwan and worldwide surveys. By breaking down long questionnaire into two successive surveys, the replied rate did significantly increase. 3. An integrative framework for the new incubation model has been proposed for the sustainable operation of university incubator. National Taiwan University has validated this model in a similar way. 4. The process of privatization of university incubator is proposed to meet the university administrative procedure. Both of the government initialized top-down and incubator initialized bottom-up processes are considered. A Business Plan to suit for the proposed incubation company is also designed in this work. The sustainability in terms of financial status has been predicted based on some reasonable assumptions. 5. In order to verify the proposed model, three case studies through on-site visits have been carried out to compare their incubation systems and financial status up-to-date. This can provide a guideline to adjust the proposed model of this work. Finally, a comprehensive conclusion and discussions are given to summarize the contribution and future work of this research.