Conceptualizing Academic Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: A Review, Analysis and Extension of the Literature

68 Pages Posted: 29 May 2018 Last revised: 30 Aug 2018

See all articles by Christopher S. Hayter

Christopher S. Hayter

Center for Organization Research and Design

Andrew J. Nelson

University of Oregon

Stephanie Zayed

RTI International

Alan O'Connor

RTI International

Date Written: March 9, 2018

Abstract

Policy-related discussions increasingly view universities as so-called "engines of economic growth." Recognizing that the economic impact of universities is dependent, at least in part, on the success of university-affiliated entrepreneurial ventures, this paper reviews the extant literature to understand how academic entrepreneurship is conceptualized and the extent to which it adopts an ecosystem approach. We find that scholars have largely focused on individual ecosystem elements and characteristics, eschewing strategic and systemic conceptualizations of entrepreneurship ecosystems. As a result, we argue that the ecosystem perspective has not been fully leveraged to influence policy decisions. We conclude by offering several concrete recommendations on future research directions that, if pursued, would further enhance our understanding of the economic impact of universities.

Keywords: Academic Entrepreneurship, Ecosystems, Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship Policy, Economic Development

JEL Classification: L31, O31, O32, O34, O38

Suggested Citation

Hayter, Christopher S. and Nelson, Andrew J. and Zayed, Stephanie and O'Connor, Alan, Conceptualizing Academic Entrepreneurship Ecosystems: A Review, Analysis and Extension of the Literature (March 9, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3137406 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3137406

Christopher S. Hayter

Center for Organization Research and Design ( email )

School of Public Affiars
441 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
United States

Andrew J. Nelson (Contact Author)

University of Oregon ( email )

Eugene, OR 97403-1208
United States

Stephanie Zayed

RTI International ( email )

PO Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, 27709
United States

Alan O'Connor

RTI International ( email )

PO Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, 27709
United States

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