How do Incubators Improve the Niche of Start-ups？—A Moderated Intermediary Effect Model

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the organizational ecology theory, we analyze the growth path of startups from the perspective of ecological niche, combine the incubation characteristics of startups, introduce opportunity and resource development as mediating variables, and market dynamics as moderating variables, and analyze the role mechanism of the relationship between the incubator and the ecological niche enhancement influence of startups. The empirical analysis is conducted with a sample of 386 startups residing in the incubator, and the results of the study show that: the incubator support has a significant positive influence on the relationship between the resource patchwork and a significant inverted U-shape relationship with the evaluation of opportunities; the relationship between the resource patchwork and the evaluation of opportunities has a significant positive influence on the ecological status enhancement of the startups. Incubator support has a significant inverted U-shaped relationship with the ecological status enhancement of startups, and indirectly affects the ecological status enhancement of startups through the resource patchwork and opportunity evaluation. In addition, market dynamics negatively moderate the indirect effect of resource pooling. The findings of this study fill the gap of organizational ecology theory in the field of entrepreneurial growth, and provide practical guidance on how startups can become gazelles by occupying advantageous ecological niches.

Key words: incubator, start-ups, niche improvement, opportunity resources, market dynamics

Shi Tong, Hu Haiqing, Liang Zhikang, Wang Zhaoqun. How do Incubators Improve the Niche of Start-ups？—A Moderated Intermediary Effect Model[J]. Management Review, 2025, 37(10): 88-99.

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