Extracting the performance indicators based on BSC model for SMEs residing in Technology incubators

Science and Technology Parks and Growth Centers, as major contributors to the economic development of the regional business enterprises, are committed to provide targeted support for entrepreneurs, improve manufacturing efficiency, and create economic growth in the community. In order to improve the impact of these supports, STPs and incubators periodically evaluate the activities of residents and, after identifying strengths and weaknesses, provide services tailored to each company's individual needs. However, it is worthy to ask, what indicators should the evaluation system include that can reflect a true and more comprehensive picture of the company's condition with presenting the company's core needs to the incubator manager? Therefore, in this research some general models of performance evaluation have been reviewed, and as the benefits of BSC model, especially its compatibility to manufacturing SMEs, this system has been used for the principle of the current study. Then, based on 17 years’ experience of Khorasan Science and Technology Park in unlocking the region's manufacturing potential, and the opinions of experts in other incubators in the country and around the world, 104 critical indicators have been identified in evaluating the manufacturing SMEs. These indicators also were ranked using U Mann Whitney and Friedman statistical tests. The results showed that the "customer and market" is more important than the other three perspectives in BSC model, and "Market research" and "CEO capability and expertise" are the most important indicators and sub-indicators, respectively.