Reaching for higher hanging fruit - A quantitative study of the impact of business incubators on students' opportunity-based entrepreneurial intentions in low-income countries

Abstract: This study examines the role of business incubators in the development of opportunity-based entrepreneurial intentions among students in low-income countries. The study, conducted at Makerere University in Uganda, first concludes that Shapero's model for measuring entrepreneurial intentions is applicable in a low-income country's context, though with lower explanatory effect than in high-income countries. Second, the study concludes that business incubators have a positive impact on students' opportunity-based entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, it is predicted that establishment of business incubators in low-income countries will have a positive effect on students' entrepreneurial intentions and result in more opportunity-based entrepreneurship. The findings of the study can be used by public policy agencies and development aid organizations as evidence for validation of, and future investments in business incubators.