Entrepreneurship centers in the development of sustainable innovation: two country perspectives

This study investigates how university-based Entrepreneurship Centers (ECs) integrate sustainability values within various political and regulatory contexts. More specifically, examines the role of these centers in promoting economic development while incorporating socio-environmental sustainability dimensions. Employing an inductive approach, the study focuses on two universities in the United States and Spain, utilizing a two-level analysis to understand and integrate social and environmental sustainability into their activities. Both cases revealed organizational dynamics that facilitated an examination of current practices and identified what is necessary for further integration of socio-environmental sustainability. Despite a clear alignment with some sustainability values, the study found that achieving a fully integrated approach in ECs faces important challenges, such as developing measures to monitor socio-environmental actions. Results identify a surprising lack of sustainability-related assessment items and highlights the importance of middle-level managers, institutional support, stakeholder relationships, and the political and regulatory context as key enablers for advancing sustainable development in innovation.