Academic entrepreneurship intentions: a systematic literature review

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of this research is to have an up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge regarding the variables that encourage the individuals, within the academic community, to get involved in knowledge exploitation activities. It is influenced by the observation that there is a need for more systematic scrutiny of micro-level processes to deepen our understanding of academic entrepreneurship (Balven et al., 2018; Wright and Phan, 2018). The study proposes to answer to ‘What are the drivers of academic entrepreneurial intentions?’ and ‘What are the emerging topics for future research?’Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows a Systematic Literature Review process (Tranfield et al., 2003) and adopts a four-step process format from previous literature reviews within the entrepreneurship context (Miller et al., 2018). From the results within Scopus and Web of Science databases, this research selected, evaluated, summarised and synthesised 66 relevant papers.FindingsThis study provides a factor-listed representation of the individual, organisational and institutional variables that should be considered in the strategies defined by the university. Moreover, the study concludes that the push factors behind the intentions are multiple, context-dependent, hierarchy-dependent, heterogeneous and, at the same time, dependent on each other and against each other. Lastly, the study contributes to academic entrepreneurship literature, especially entrepreneurial intention literature, which has recently received more researchers' attention.Originality/valueThe study corroborates that the individual factors, directly and indirectly via Theory of Planned Behaviour, strongly impact the academics' intentions. While the focus of the papers under review was an in-depth analysis of a selected group of factors, this SLR sought to compile the factors that were identified and provide a broader picture of all those factors to be considered by the university management. It contributes to the identification and clustering of the drivers that encourage academics to engage in knowledge valorisation activities, differentiating them by activity. For the practitioners, this list can be used by university managers, TTOs and department managers, and policymakers to guide questionnaires or interviews to analyse their academics' intentions and adequately support its academic engagement strategy. Lastly, this study also suggests worthwhile avenues for future research.

Examining the Characteristics of Academic Entrepreneurs: The Case of Malaysian Technology Driven University

“…This demonstrates that digital technologies enhances entrepreneurial startups among academics. Furthermore, Neves and Brito (2020) confirmed that the creation of spin-offs, patents and collaboration with industry are a consequence of scholars' engagement who, in turn, are influenced by the organisational and institutional structure. These findings posit that the university partially controls its outcomes.…”

“…In this regard, role models can also have a motivational impact (Radu & Loue, 2008) on choosing to become an entrepreneur. It would be interesting to propose some research within different contexts to understand if the academics who excel in scientific domains are also the most entrepreneurial hence indirectly linked with academics' personal attitude and perceived behavioural control (Neves & Brito, 2020). In this context, academic as technology researchers may demonstrate as influential role models in universities.…”

Guest editorial

“…The first paper of this special issue, written by Neves and Brito (2020) entitled “Academic entrepreneurship intentions: A systematic literature review”, offers a comprehensive assessment of the motives and intentions of scientists to get involved in knowledge exploitation activities. Based on a systematic literature review, this paper presents guidelines for building a scale of intentions assessment that may help universities and policy makers to further stimulate entrepreneurship activities as well as implement effective and value-driven policies.…”

“…The second paper entitled “Entrepreneurial university: An exploratory model for higher education” (Ruiz et al 2020) by de Araujo et al (2020) focuses on the clarification of characteristics of entrepreneurial universities beyond the commercialisation of knowledge in the context of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. It thereby contributes to our understanding of the transformation of traditional universities towards entrepreneurial universities and serves as a starting point for empirical investigations.…”

Academic entrepreneurial engagement for frugal innovation in higher education institutions: a systematic literature review

“…13 Moreover, researchers examined the determinants and outcomes of academic entrepreneurial intention. 14 Academic entrepreneurial intention is underscored by capability factors such as entrepreneurial-related abilities, education, human capital and industrial experience. 14 Academic Entrepreneurial Engagement (AEE) AEE entails the commercialisation of scientific knowledge, including the transformation of knowledge into products and processes that may inevitably contribute to economic growth and innovation.…”