Author(s): Thobekani Lose, Khulekani Yakobi and Francis Kwahene
Employing the grounded theory methodology, this paper sought to explore business incubation in the context of the covid-19 pandemic. The paper analysed sectoral briefs released by the International Labour Organisation on its online portal, focusing on its recommendations to identify patterns for operating businesses that can be useful to business incubators post covid19. The study question was: What theory or explanation of business incubation in the context of the covid-19 pandemic emerges from an analysis of the data collected about this phenomenon from the ILO publications? The study identified six determinants of successful business incubation during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, namely: social dialogue, technological adoption, stakeholder engagement, collaborations, business re-purposing, shock resilience. The findings of the study are consistent with other research findings but the Covid-19 global pandemic appears to intensify recognition of the six identified elements. Of the six elements, social dialogue was found to be the central factor in ensuring business resumption and resuscitation after the global Covi-19 pandemic.