Identification and ranking the critical success factors of business incubator of science and technology parks – A case study: Business incubator of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: As part of national program of innovation and a part of the science-oriented development plan, “science and technology” parks have an effective role in accelerating the process of turning ideas into real products and thus, the development of technology by providing necessary conditions for market-oriented research and merchandising the outcome of research. The purpose of the present research is to recognize, specify and prioritize vital elements in the success of development centers by concentrating on the case study of the development center of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (BMSU). Materials and Methods: Primarily, In this regard, comprehensive literature review of more than 400 critical success indicators of parks and incubators were identified. Then, by integrating the overlays and the use of expert’s opinion, initial screening was conducted. The numbers were classified which were limited to 43 indicators in 5 clusters (5 elements). In this study, the Friedman test was used to rank the following factors and also the critical success subfactors of business incubator of BMSU. Results: Findings indicate that factor of “human resources” with value of 4.19 among other factors and index of “supporting the commercialization of research results” as a part of “support and services of incubators” with value of 7.94 among other indexes, allocated the first ranks. Conclusions: The outcome of this research, with the leading role of the Science and Technology Center of BMSU, was done in order to be used in strategic management and macro-policy making of the University.