Doctoral thesis
The performance of young entrepreneurs in Tanzania is faced by an inadequate access to business support services (BSS). This study examined the influence of business incubators on the performance of young entrepreneurs in higher learning institutions in Tanzania. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions where the two universities business incubation centers, (i.e. the University of Dar es Salaam and Sokoine University) were purposively selected. Incubatees were selected randomly and the cross sectional research design was adopted. A total number of 30 incubatees were surveyed and two (2) incubation managers were interviewed. The questionnaires and interview guides were used for data collection, which subsequently was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Findings identified five BSS offered by business incubators to their incubatees. These BSS are marketing and business management, networking, accounting and financial management, facilitation on access to finance and mentoring and coaching. The study also has revealed that, there is a significant association between BSS and motivation of young entrepreneurs to start new business. Furthermore, their motivation accounts significant contribution on performance of young entrepreneurs. The findings also recorded non-significant influence of BSS on performance of young entrepreneurs, unless moderated by motivation. The study recommended a need for putting more emphasis on business incubators, specifically on offered BSS to be able to enhance the performance of young entrepreneurs.