An integrated multiple attribute decision-making framework for evaluation of incubation capability of science and technology business incubators

Science and technology business incubators (STBIs) constitute a crucial component of the regional innovation system, with their high-quality development significantly contributing to the enhancement of regional innovation capacity. The exceptional incubation capacity of STBIs plays a pivotal role in revitalizing the regional economy to a certain extent. Evaluating the incubation capacity of STBIs across different regions can foster competition and collaboration among these regions, provide avenues for enhancing enterprises’ own incubation capabilities, and assist entrepreneurs in assessing the strength of regional incubation. This study establishes an index system for evaluating the incubation capacity of STBIs based on three dimensions: basic resource services, investment and financing services, and incubation performance, filling the gap in the evaluation of incubation capability for STBIs. To scientifically analyze the significance of each indicator, we propose an integrated weights (IW) method based on entropy measure and a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). Building upon this, an integrated multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) framework on the basis of technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and grey relational analysis (GRA), named IW-TOPSIS–GRA, is introduced into the evaluation of incubation capacity of STBIs. Finally, we present a practical case study focusing on the incubation capacity of STBIs in the Yangtze River Delta region to validate the effectiveness of our proposed integrated framework. This study not only adds to relevant research but also provides scholars with scientific assessment methodologies of reference value.