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Advancing Conceptualization of University Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: The Role of Knowledge-based Entrepreneurial Firms

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  • Link, Albert

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics)

  • Sarala, Riikka

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Management)

Abstract

University entrepreneurship ecosystems are increasingly important in facilitating innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities in today’s knowledge-based economies. However, we have an incomplete understanding of the role of the entrepreneurial firm as the key user of university knowledge. We propose that use of university knowledge positively influences entrepreneurial firm performance and that the entrepreneurial firm’s resource and capabilities facilitate its ability to create value from university knowledge. We test our hypotheses with survey data on knowledge intensive entrepreneurial firms from 10 European countries. Our study contributes to an increased understanding of the economic, societal, and technological contributions of universities by illustrating empirically the role of entrepreneurial firm’s resources and capabilities as moderators of value in university ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Link, Albert & Sarala, Riikka, 2019. "Advancing Conceptualization of University Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: The Role of Knowledge-based Entrepreneurial Firms," UNCG Economics Working Papers 19-1, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:uncgec:2019_001
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    2. Magnus Henrekson & Anders Kärnä & Tino Sanandaji, 2022. "Schumpeterian entrepreneurship: coveted by policymakers but impervious to top-down policymaking," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 867-890, July.
    3. Henrekson, Magnus & Lakomaa, Erik & Sanandaji, Tino, 2021. "The Interaction of Schumpeterian Institutional Entrepreneurship and Hayekian Institutional Change in Innovative Industries," Working Paper Series 1409, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    4. André Cherubini Alves & Bruno Brandão Fischer & Nicholas S. Vonortas, 2021. "Ecosystems of entrepreneurship: configurations and critical dimensions," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 67(1), pages 73-106, August.
    5. Maha Aly & Galal Galal-Edeen, 2021. "Why is Germany less entrepreneurial? A behavioral reasoning perspective," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1376-1416, October.
    6. Marta Ferrer-Serrano & M. Pilar Latorre-Martínez & Lucio Fuentelsaz, 2021. "The European research landscape under the Horizon 2020 Lenses: the interaction between science centers, public institutions, and industry," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 828-853, June.
    7. Natalya Radko & Maksim Belitski & Yelena Kalyuzhnova, 2023. "Conceptualising the entrepreneurial university: the stakeholder approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 955-1044, June.
    8. Daniela Bragoli & Flavia Cortelezzi & Massimiliano Rigon, 2023. "Firms' innovation and university cooperation. New evidence from a survey of Italian firms," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1400, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    9. Daniel Prokop & Piers Thompson, 2023. "Defining networks in entrepreneurial ecosystems: the openness of ecosystems," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 517-538, August.
    10. Zhen Chen, 2021. "Research on the Innovation Imbalance Between Coastal and Inland Port Cities Along the Belt and Road: Based on the Three Helix Theory," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, February.
    11. Haibin Liu & Sadan Kulturel-Konak & Abdullah Konak, 2021. "Key Elements and Their Roles in Entrepreneurship Education Ecosystem: Comparative Review and Suggestions for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-28, September.
    12. Pustovrh, Ales & Rangus, Kaja & Drnovšek, Mateja, 2020. "The role of open innovation in developing an entrepreneurial support ecosystem," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    entrepreneurship; strategic behavior; university-based knowledge; European Union;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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