Sustaining Family Businesses through Business Incubation: An Africa-Focused Review

Chux Gervase Iwu (), Nobandla Malawu, Elona Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Tendai Makwara and Lucky Sibanda
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Chux Gervase Iwu: Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Nobandla Malawu: Institute for Post-School Studies, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Elona Nobukhosi Ndlovu: Department of Management & Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Management Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0182, South Africa
Tendai Makwara: Department of Business Support Studies, Faculty of Management Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
Lucky Sibanda: Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa

JRFM, 2024, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: The influence of business incubation systems on family businesses in African economies has not been thoroughly investigated despite the potential contribution of family businesses to Africa’s economic expansion and the attainment of development goals outlined in the Africa Development Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this study investigates the potential benefits that family businesses in Africa can derive from engaging in business incubation. This study utilised an integrative literature review methodology to investigate the research question. Twenty-three peer-reviewed articles were systematically selected from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using the following combination of phrases: “family business” and either “business incubation” or “business incubator”. The findings suggest ways to create a mutually beneficial relationship between family businesses and business incubators to improve long-term sustainability, promote collaboration, facilitate knowledge transfer, and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also recognises challenges, such as cultural alignment in family businesses. Business incubators in Africa can improve the sustainability of family businesses, such as during the succession, by offering support, resources, and guidance. The South African experience is a role model for the rest of the continent, in this regard. Future research should broaden the sources beyond the three databases utilised, including non-peer-reviewed sources such as grey literature, and extend the focus beyond developing economies.

Keywords: family business; business incubation; business incubators; Africa; developing economies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C E F2 F3 G (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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