Empowering Smart Cities Through Start-Ups: A Sustainability Framework for Incubator-City Collaboration

StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Berniak-Woźny, Justyna
Sliż, Piotr
Siciński, Jędrzej
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Date
2025-03-22
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Systems
Issue
4
Volume
13
Pages
Pages
1-25
ISSN
2079-8954
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Access date
2025-03-22
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
The rapid advancement of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 technologies presents unprecedented opportunities to align start-up incubators with smart cities’ sustainability goals, fostering innovation and addressing complex urban challenges. This study introduces the Smart City-Incubator Sustainability Framework (SCISF)—a structured conceptual model that integrates sustainable business model innovation, digital transformation, and circular economy principles into incubator practices. Through an integrative literature review, conceptual framework development, and empirical application, the research identifies six key components essential for aligning incubators with smart city objectives: strategic vision alignment, technological integration, circular economy practices, public engagement, scalability, and impact monitoring. The framework’s empirical application to the Gdańsk Entrepreneurship Foundation (GEF) incubator demonstrates its effectiveness in assessing incubator contributions to urban sustainability. The findings highlight strengths in public engagement and strategic vision, alongside opportunities to enhance Industry 5.0 integration, cross-sector partnerships, and ESG-driven impact reporting. By bridging the gap between city objectives and start-up ecosystems, the SCISF provides actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and incubator managers to foster smart, circular, and resilient urban environments.
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Keywords PL
Keywords EN
smart cities
start-up incubators
Industry 4.0
Industry 5.0
circular economy
sustainable business models
digital transformation
ESG compliance
urban resilience
Smart City-Incubator Sustainability Framework (SCISF)
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cc-by
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
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Acquisition Date15.08.2025
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