Toward an Entrepreneurial University: Analysis of the Fluminense Federal University Initiatives and Trajectory

This study aims to identify the transformations from the structural and political point of view at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) toward an Entrepreneurial University. To this end, the degree of UFF’s evolution and maturity will be verified as such. We then expect to recommend actions to accelerate the institution's evolution in this direction. The authors carried out exploratory research with a qualitative approach to achieve the defined objectives. A review of the literature was carried out, using bibliometric analysis techniques, in themes like Entrepreneurial University and university-company interaction, based on Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo publications. Primary data generation was done with a survey forwarded to two groups of people. The first group, formed by UFF’s undergraduate courses coordinators, managers of the institution and some of its departments and academic units, and professors who had critical experiences related to the theme, received the research through direct e-mail. The second group responded through a social network platform in a group of university professors to identify structural and political transformations at the University. The analysis of the information collected allowed the application of the model developed by Oliveira and Amaral (Gestão nos Institutos Federais de Educação: experiências e aplicações, PPGA/UFF, 2020) to understand the UFF’s evolution stage as an entrepreneurial institution. As a result, the professors of the institution have relatively low knowledge regarding the theme and the mechanisms to support innovation, both at the federal level and at the institution itself, while there is a good performance of interaction activities. With the application of the Oliveira-Amaral maturity assessment model, it was possible to position the institution at level 2 on a scale from 0 to 6, which means a low entrepreneurial positioning. The sampling for the survey was defined by convenience, without a statistical basis. This selection was made to enable the research by sending the survey to a sample of the accessible population. This research takes a picture of the current moment of UFF regarding what would lead to it being understood as an Entrepreneurial University. According to the Oliveira-Amaral Model, it brings the institution’s current needs and, from the application of this model, combined with the poll answered by a sample of the institution’s professors, actions are indicated to solve such needs. Furthermore, understanding a lack of knowledge by UFF regarding Federal Laws and Norms to support innovation, two conceptual frameworks on the subject are presented.