Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration with Industry in the Context of Entrepreneurial Higher Education Institutions

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are expected not only to provide research and teachingbut also to be involved in a number of other activities, such as cooperating with enterprisesand interpreting and explaining scientific findings to the wider public, thus contributing tothe development of society. However, little attention has been paid to the relationshipbetween knowledge exchange and collaboration and other entrepreneurial activities ofHEIs. The aim of this study is to assess the links between knowledge exchange with industryand other characteristics of entrepreneurial HEIs. The HEInnovate questionnaire is used toevaluate the various characteristics of entrepreneurial HEIs in four Estonian universities.The results of the analysis show that knowledge exchange and collaboration with industryare particularly strongly linked with providing support to prospective entrepreneurs,mentoring and facilitating access to finances and business support services. There is also astrong link with entrepreneurial teaching and learning, which involves shapingentrepreneurial attitudes and skills.Jel classification: I23Keywords: knowledge exchange, university–business cooperation, entrepreneurial higher educationinstitution, entrepreneurial teaching and learning.