The factors affecting the success of knowledge-based companies (The case of: The incubators of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Park of Guilan Province)

Knowledge-based companies play an important role in economic growth. However, due to inherent risks, their success is challenging. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the factors affecting the success of knowledge-based companies. The incubators of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Park of Guilan Province were selected as the case of study. The research method was a mixed approach and data were collected through instruments including semi-structured interview and questionnaire. Data analysis in qualitative and quantitative phases was performed using MAXQDA10 and SPSS25 software, respectively. According to the results of the qualitative phase, two factors including internal and external were identified. Internal factors including three levels of "individual", "micro", "macro" and external factors were identified in two levels of "incubator", "national and transnational". In the quantitative phase, the results of Friedman test showed that the factors of "The country's economic policies"; "Improving the international situation"; "Marketing and marketing research" were in the first ranks (most important) and "Generating extra revenue"; "Family support", "Joining large companies" were in the last (least important) ranks. Therefore, considering "The country's economic policies" and "Improving the international situation" by policymakers, paying attention to "Marketing and marketing research" by knowledge-based companies and supporting by incubators and Science and Technology Parks can be the keys for knowledge-based companies to achieve success.