Perspectives on Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) for Philippine Startups: A Grounded Theory Approach

Abstract

This study explored the nature of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in the Philippines from the perspective of its key stakeholders: the TBI managers and startup founders. The goal was to understand the operational structures, processes, and outcomes of local TBIs and to develop a grounded theory that reflects the current dynamics of the Philippine startup ecosystem. The central research question is: “What is the nature of technology business incubators in the Philippine context?” A qualitative approach using Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) was employed by the researcher by conducting fifteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten TBI managers and five startup founders from various regions of the Philippines. The data was analyzed through a systematic process of open, focused, and axial coding to identify emergent themes and construct a substantive theory grounded in the lived experiences of the participants. The study revealed that Philippine TBIs are undergoing a significant transformation, moving from traditional grant-dependent frameworks to more financially resilient, business-like entities. The research concluded in the grounded theory of "The Adaptive Resilience of Philippine TBIs,” describes the core capacity of a TBI to withstand disruptions, adapt its processes, and maintain its dual function of supporting startups and developing its ecosystem over the long term. The emergent theory offers a novel approach for understanding how TBIs can evolve to better meet the needs of a dynamic technology startup ecosystem, contributing valuable insights for policymakers, TBI managers, and entrepreneurs. A key limitation of this study was the exclusion of perspectives from government agency representatives, as none consented to participate in interviews. The developed theory, while grounded in the data, was qualitative and would have benefited from further quantitative validation to avoid overgeneralization.