Public Management Perspectives on Incubation Models and Youth Start-Up Enterprise Performance in a Stagnant Economic Environment

Abstract

This article examines the influence of different incubation models on the performance of youth start-up enterprises within an economy experiencing limited growth. The study aims to assess the contribution of publicly supported incubation initiatives to youth entrepreneurial development under stagnant macroeconomic conditions. A qualitative document analysis approach is employed, drawing on secondary sources including government policy documents, programme evaluation reports, and peer-reviewed academic literature. This approach enables critical assessment of incubation outcomes without the involvement of human participants. The analysis indicates that while incubation models are increasingly utilised by public management institutions to promote employment creation and enterprise development, their effectiveness remains inconsistent. Existing evidence suggests that youth enterprises face persistent constraints in scaling and market integration due to weak demand, limited market absorption, and institutional inefficiencies. The findings further reveal that public sector-driven incubation models often emphasise administrative performance indicators over long-term enterprise sustainability. The article concludes that stagnant economic conditions significantly constrain post-incubation viability, underscoring the need for closer alignment between incubation design, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and macroeconomic realities. The study contributes to policy refinement, governance practice, and future research grounded in a public value perspective.