The Entrepreneurial University Wheel: A University Ecosystem Framework For Developing Countries

The entrepreneurial university, beyond its traditional missions of teaching and research, aims to stimulate innovation and economic development within its region. Despite its growing recognition, existing literature predominantly associates it with academic entrepreneurship and technology transfer. This conceptual paper advocates for an expansion of this concept, especially in the context of developing countries. Through an argumentative review, we highlight the unique needs of these countries, calling for broader integration and linking of student and community entrepreneurs, including those driven by necessity or from disadvantaged backgrounds, as key targets of the entrepreneurial university. This approach adopts a more inclusive view of innovation and reinforces the university’s role in knowledge transfer through entrepreneurship education and support. We introduce the ‘Entrepreneurial University Wheel’ as a novel conceptual framework that redefines the university entrepreneurial ecosystem (UEE), presenting an evolved and alternative approach to the traditional triple helix collaboration (THC) model. This framework aims to enhance resource mobilization for entrepreneurs by leveraging synergies within the university and its broader environment. Our paper aims to reshape how entrepreneurial universities are viewed and implemented in developing countries, unlocking their full potential for economic and social effect. We conclude by proposing a research agenda to explore this promising direction further.