Entrepreneurship at universities : exploring the factors influencing the development of entrepreneurship at universities

Whether it is launching the great minds and leaders of the future, or making new discoveries to take society forward, universities are increasingly seen as a crucial player in the development of (knowledge) societies. However, over the last 30 years, it has been in their collaboration with business and their potential contribution through entrepreneurial activities for which universities have received increased attention. Be it academic consulting or teaching business, spin-out business creation from research results or student start-ups, entrepre-neurship has been embraced in universities around the world, in both industrial and emerging countries.However, the questions of what exactly is entrepreneurship at Universities is, what influences it and how exactly should it be developed, are highly contentious and debatable and yet remain underdeveloped and misunderstood. This thesis explores these questions to provide a more complete picture of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at universities including how individuals are influenced, how it is supported within universities and how it is influenced by a broader environment,the phenomenon of university-business cooperation, and the history of the university itself. For university leaders trying to develop their university to be more entrepreneurial, policymakers or facilitators either driving or supporting this process or potential entrepreneurs at universities, this study offers insights into how to unlock the potential for universities to create an even greater global footprint through entrepreneurship.