Academic Entrepreneurship’S Growth Perspectives ¸in the Opinion of Researchers and Students

The subject matter of the paper pertains to the academic entrepreneurship and its growth opportunities in Poland and in Lublin Voivodeship. Lublin Voivodeship boasts a considerable potential in the form of universities, students, graduates and faculty members. Lublin Voivodeship’s projects and analyses indicate that academic entrepreneurship may offer growth opportunities in the region. Undeniably, 2014-2020 EU financing perspective may assist in the process. However, these resources must be applied in the most effective way possible. The aim of the present paper is to present the evaluation of the region’s growth potential in terms of academic entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurship in the paper is defined broadly as entrepreneurship of students, graduates and researchers. Empirical data consists of research commissioned by Lublin Voivodeship Marshal’s Office in 2013. Research carried out among 52 researchers and 390 university students aimed at indicating academic entrepreneurship growth opportunities in the region. Respondents answered questions relating to plans of establishing own businesses and consequences of such actions. In addition, university classes pertaining to entrepreneurship were also evaluated. Research results indicated that 44% of the evaluated students declared they planned to establish their own businesses in the future. The majority of evaluated researchers did not declare such activity. When asked about the reason behind the decision, they answered they did not see the necessity or had other responsibilities and priorities.