Entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and scientific mobility: The Spanish case

Abstract

Scientific mobility can stimulate entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, acting as a catalyst for reducing imbalances between local and global science and the resulting socio-economic damage. This study evaluates both whether scientific mobility effectively promotes these concepts and the fundamental reasons to articulate effective policies for scientific mobility. Toward this end, a survey has been prepared following the methodology of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and current scientific literature. A total of 364 researchers involved in Spanish scientific mobility took part in the study: Spanish scientists abroad (135) and scientists returned to Spain (52), as mobile groups, and young researchers in Spain (177), as a group of scientists who could go abroad, but that have not yet begun to leave. The results demonstrate that scientific mobility does promote entrepreneurship and, especially intrapreneurship. Moreover, since permanent positions are scarce for these groups and their mobility decisions largely depend on job opportunities, the involved Spanish authorities and agents can improve scientific mobility by means suitable policies that make the most of this potential to the benefit of economic growth and job creation.

Scientific Mobility, Training and Entrepreneurial Skills in Health Sciences: The Spanish Case

“…However, this high level of skill acquisition is not reflected in a high degree of entrepreneurial intentions on the part of the Health Science groups involved in scientific mobility, something which is consistent with the small number of companies that such scientists create [ 37 , 57 , 58 ]. However, these intentions are greater in the groups that have carried out this mobility, such as SRS and SSA, especially the former and in the case of intrapreneurship, which is also in line with what has been explained above regarding these issues [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 58 ]. These results show that the lack of training in entrepreneurship shown above is reflected in a reduced intention to create companies as the positive stimuli referred to by the authors cited above are not created [ 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The entrepreneurial skills acquired by scientists through international mobility should be reflected in the intention of researchers to set up companies or carry out intrapreneurial projects. In this regard, as stated above, the number of companies created by scientists is low [ 37 , 57 , 58 ], international mobility being a factor that encourages this entrepreneurship [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 58 ] and intrapreneurship [ 58 ].…”

“…However, the number of companies created by researchers is relatively low [ 37 , 57 , 58 ], but their role in other entrepreneurial activity such as intrapreneurship is very important. This last activity can be defined as a process undertaken by a person involved in the leadership and development of an entrepreneurial initiative for his organization; examples are the creation of a new product or service, a new company, or a new business unit [ 59 ].…”

“…Finally, in relation to the entrepreneurship of Spanish scientific mobility, the aforementioned study [ 58 ] shows that scientific mobility does indeed encourage entrepreneurship, and especially intrapreneurship and the development of entrepreneurial skills, so, in view of the aforementioned importance of these skills, it may be worthwhile to gain a more in-depth understanding of this development in the health sector in the Spanish case.…”

Young GI angle: Working abroad with the family: Mission impossible?

“…2 Another interesting consequence of international mobility is that it increases the interest of researchers in engaging in entrepreneurial activities, as shown by a recent Spanish survey. 4 But, as many have experienced first-hand, moving to a new country can be a lonely and overwhelming experience at the begin- Notably, the Together Science Can survey highlighted that family-related challenges are the most frequently cited obstacle to international relocation. International mobility can indeed clash with family commitments and the wish for stability to start a family at a crucial life stage, affecting women more.…”