The integral role of incubator managers in supporting tenants’ positive psychological wellbeing

Managers perform an important role at incubators by coordinating and managing operations while facilitating, and often delivering, services that support tenants’ business growth. Less is known about the relationship between managers and tenants at incubators, and how they support tenants’ positive psychological wellbeing. In this study, in-depth interviews with incubator managers (n = 28) and tenants (n = 12) were conducted to examine the role of managers in supporting tenant’s positive psychological wellbeing, focusing on the constructs of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. The qualitative data provided consistent insights about the integral role of managers in supporting tenant’s positive psychological wellbeing, by facilitating their hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. Managers are essential in supporting tenants at a critical point in their business development. Consideration is given to the role that incubator managers fulfil at incubators and the provision of support they offer tenants, to meet their business and psychological needs.