Jurgelevičius, Artūras

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly seen as central actors in entrepreneurial ecosystems, yet their support mechanisms do not always align with the needs of student entrepreneurs. This study investigates how key stakeholders, business students, professors, and experienced start-up founders perceive the relative importance of success factors for student-led start-ups within HEIs. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, this study used a 34-item survey instrument developed through an extensive literature review and validated for content by a panel of experts. Triangulation between stakeholder groups enabled a multidimensional comparison of perspectives. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patterns of agreement and variability, resulting in a three-tier framework of success factors based on perceived importance and consensus. High-impact factors included faculty entrepreneurial experience, student mindset, and access to mentorship, while traditional inputs such as infrastructure, legal support, and funding were ranked lower. The findings highlight a misalignment between institutional offerings and stakeholder priorities, highlighting the critical role of social and human capital. This research provides practical guidance for HEIs seeking to improve entrepreneurial support and contributes to theoretical discussions on stakeholder-informed ecosystem models. Although limited by its single-institution context, this study offers a foundation for future cross-institutional and longitudinal research.

Hackathons, originally rooted in the software and technology sectors, have evolved into powerful tools for corporate innovation. Today, organizations across diverse industries use them to accelerate idea generation, boost employee engagement, and strengthen competitive positioning. However, despite their growing popularity, the mechanisms by which hackathons drive innovation within firms remain underexplored in academic literature, particularly from the standpoint of innovation theory and strategic management. Much of the existing research is fragmented across disciplines such as healthcare, education, and computer science, lacking a unified framework for understanding hackathons as instruments of organizational innovation.  This study addresses that gap by examining hackathons as structured innovation development mechanisms. Drawing on a comprehensive review of scholarly sources, we investigate the definitions, theoretical foundations, and practical implementations of corporate hackathons. The paper develops a conceptual model that delineates the phases, design components, critical success factors, and post-event integration processes necessary to foster sustainable innovation outcomes. Our findings suggest that hackathons support corporate innovation by enabling rapid experimentation, attracting entrepreneurial talent, and cultivating internal knowledge-sharing communities. Moreover, they provide a low-risk environment conducive to intrapreneurship and openness to change. This article contributes to the academic discourse on innovation and organizational learning by situating hackathon practices within strategic innovation frameworks. It also offers actionable insights for practitioners on how to effectively design, implement, and leverage hackathons to drive competitive advantage in dynamic and uncertain business environments.

The aim of this research is to identify and analyze the key elements within university entrepreneurial ecosystems that contribute to the success of student start-ups, based on the perspectives of experienced start-up founders. Through a mixed-methods approach, this research captures the insights of experienced startup founders, particularly those who have achieved measurable success within the digital start-up space in Lithuania. Ten start-up founders are selected based on the proven success of their business models, demonstrated by a consistent revenue stream or significant capital investment. Content validation method and descriptive statistical analysis were applied to survey responses, focusing on central tendency and variability measures to assess the degree of consensus among founders for provided statements. The study highlights the integral role of educators with entrepreneurial backgrounds and the prioritization of practical, hands-on learning experiences over traditional academic methods. A notable divergence from established perceptions is the founders' view on funding, which, contrary to expectations, is not seen as a critical determinant of startup success within university settings. These findings present a compelling case for reorienting entrepreneurial education towards experiential learning and support mechanisms that align with the dynamic requirements of startup culture. They also lay the groundwork for future studies to expand on the multidimensional perspectives of different stakeholders in the student startup ecosystem.

Purpose: By comparative analysis of international cultural projects, identify strategies and methods that ensure project team cohesion and its effectiveness. To substantiate directions and approaches that, in the context of the complexity of managing international cultural projects, can form effective strategies for overcoming the negative impacts of cultural diversity and communication barriers, and for realizing the expectations of stakeholders. Methods: The study uses both a qualitative approach based on research from various fields, in particular based on the use of Cross-Case Synthesis, inductive coding, cross-case comparison, and a quantitative approach, in particular based on сorrelation analysis, involved constructing a Pearson correlation matrix and a multimodal approach for a balanced combination of structured and semi-structured data. It also integrates insights from project management frameworks and cultural intelligence models to analyze the role of leadership, adaptability, and technology in international project environments. Findings: The study identifies key strategies for mitigating conflicts, leveraging cultural intelligence, and enhancing project outcomes in multicultural settings. It highlights the importance of digital tools and virtual collaboration in managing culturally diverse teams, as well as the impact of cultural awareness on project efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder engagement. Originality: This research contributes to the growing field of international project management by offering actionable strategies for professionals working in culturally diverse environments. By understanding cultural dynamics, project managers can implement inclusive strategies that foster collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure the sustainable success of international cultural initiatives.

The study aims to identify and analyse the key factors of student start-ups from the perspective of higher academic institution professors. Entrepreneurial students in higher education face challenges such as limited funding, scarce resources, lack of business experience and struggling to balance academic commitments with their start-up ventures. Additionally, they struggle with navigating complex business regulations and often lack access to proper networks or mentorship. This research contributes to a better understanding of how the entrepreneurial ecosystem in higher education institutions can support student start-up initiatives to succeed. For the research, a survey was conducted targeting ten experts from higher education institutions engaged with business or entrepreneurial study programmes. The research used the content validation method and descriptive statistical analysis to evaluate the responses, focusing on measures of central tendency and variability to determine the degree of consensus among respondents regarding the 36 statements provided. The study results revealed that while respondents agreed on the importance of student attitudes towards failure and self-confidence, there was strong disagreement among them regarding the belief that non-business students have a lesser chance of creating a successful startup. Also, experts suggested that entrepreneurship education should place more emphasis on the development of students' entrepreneurial mindset, which is considered to be an essential quality for the uncertain journey of entrepreneurship. Finally, the survey results indicated that networking and experiential learning are crucial for startup development. This underscores the importance of scientific debate not only on innovative funding models but also on non-financial support systems that surpass traditional educational methods in higher education environments.

The aim of the research was to assess the impact of a new structure of human capital on high value-added economic sectors in European countries. The conducted theoretical and empirical research has shown that the proposed new concept of human capital has a place to be. Three dimensions of human capital, such as quality, quantity and value, have different impacts on different sectors of European economies. Based on empirical data, the multiple linear regression model was chosen as a method that the best-fit structure of the data collected. The proposed econometric model revealed that the value of human capital is the most important component among three having very close statistical interconnections with qualitative dimensions. It was researched that Scandinavian countries scored the highest level of value dimension of human capital as well as high value-added in the economy. Open, trusted, tolerant, culturally diverse societies create preconditions for a rise for creative culture, which is a source for the formation of technological innovations and adaptation in high value-added economic sectors. Moreover, because of this value-added chain, technological innovations penetrate traditional industries as mining brings the reduction of cost, the increase in productivity and value-added, safety, and shared value in society through environmental issues.

The aim of the research was to propose a new concept of human capital considering constantly changing economic structure and source of added value creation. As well it was aimed to apply empirically this concept to European countries. The conducted theoretical and empirical research has shown that the proposed new concept of human capital has a place to be. Three dimensions of human capital such as quality, quantity and value have different impacts on the economy. The research revealed that value of human capital is the most important component among three having very close statistical interconnections with qualitative dimensions. That is to say that open, more trusted, tolerant, culturally diverse societies create preconditions for a rise for creative culture which is a source for technology and innovation creation and adaptation in the economy.

Introduction. Higher education funding is relevant topic and widely analysed by scientist all other the world. Nowadays there is very big difference between higher education funding models across European Union countries – students have to pay very high fees for their studies in one countries, while in other countries – students have no obligations to pay for their studies at all, or have to pay very low tuition fees. All EU member states declare importance of HE for the future of economic, individual and society wellbeing. With respect to cost-sharing principle in higher education funding, higher education funding models can be divided into four models: Low-fee-High-subsidy; Low-fees-Low-subsidy; High-fees-High-subsidy and High-fee-Low subsidy. Aim and tasks. The aim of this article is to perform comparative analysis of two extremely different higher education funding models, which are applied in European Union states – Low-fee-High-subsidy higher education funding model (LFHS model) and High-fee-Low-subsidy higher education funding model (HFLS model). Results. The results of scientific research shows, that LFHS and HFLS models, which were analysed, have a different impact on access to higher education (i.e. gross enrolment rate (GER), GER male, GER female and HE graduation rate (HEGR) in EU countries. Conclusions. Tuition fees (max., min., net, normative) have a statistically significant, but not only positive or negative impact on enrolment to HE and graduation of HE, as well as for women and men enrolment to HE (GER male, GER female) – it depends on funding model EU state applies. Max. need-based grants have positive impact only in LFHS model case as well as min. need-based grants. In addition, the results of research show, that there is gender inequality – women enrolment to HE exceed men enrolment at most in HFLS model. Men are more likely to study in countries with higher need-based grants (for instance, in LFHS model countries). Counties with higher GDP per capita are more likely to apply LFHS model, than countries with lower GDP  per capita.

Introduction. The global structure of economy and business has been changing. New technologies and innovations occurred replacing or minimizing the role of old once. A number of traditional companies and industries must adopt new emerging technologies in order to survive on the international market. Moving from industrial society to Industry 4.0 society a few critical transformations should be taken into account. If it is understandable that innovations and technologies can benefit the whole economy and society in many ways, it is important to analyze what are the external factors that accelerate the development of innovative startups and technologies to boost the growth, development and welfare of societies and economies. Aim and tasks. The purpose of this article is to assess the development of startups and technology based companies in a number of European countries and to identify a group of countries that has the most favorable environment for startups and technology proliferations. Results. The findings of the research revealed that the most favorable countries for startup and technology-based companies’ creation are Scandinavian and Western European countries, the least ones – mainly Balkans. The findings claim that macroeconomic stability and skills (broaden concept is human capital) are the most important factors influencing the creation and adoption of startups and technology-based companies. Meanwhile the national market size is the least important factor. Conclusions. The conducted research presents that the most favorable countries for innovative startups and tech-based companies are mainly Scandinavian and Western European countries. It is important to notice that Scandinavian countries have exceptionally leading the list in this field. As analysis showed, macroeconomic stability and skills (to a broader concept human capital) are the most significant factors for technologies and innovations to occur. Finally, the market size seems to be the least important factor for technology and innovative startup development. It can be explained that startups and technologies by its nature are scalable businesses those market is entire globe.