IncubatIng SucceSS towardS gulf cooperatIon councIl (gcc)

Purpose: This paper aims to identify and assess critical dimension of busi- ness incubation with focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council, which are suitable to measure the effectiveness of business incubation to support startup and entrepre- neurial businesses by providing a number of services and resources to the clients. Design/methodology/approach: The study is a multi-method approach combined of desk-research, interviews, a multi-case study of five incubator organizations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and a case study in an in- ternational context. Findings: Firstly, a model for measuring the effectiveness of business incubation in a standardized way is developed and secondly, this model is evaluated by a multi-case study and its implications are discussed in the context of an international background. Research limitations/implications: There is little academic research presenting the characteristics of business incubation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Originality/value: This model helps practitioners and government parties for fu- ture implementation of incubators program. Furthermore, it adds new knowl- edge for academic literature incubators and economic development to a com- monly agreed model for effectiveness measurement of business incubators.