Modelling entrepreneural university

Abstract

In addition to the traditional responsibilities of education and research, the modern universities engage proactively in the practical application of the scientific results and disseminate newly developed knowledge to solve societal challenges. An entrepreneurial university, which is defined as an outcome of the third mission in this paper, is important catalyst in innovation development. The paper positions the promotion of university entrepreneurship in the context of an innovation eco system with strong ties to collective intelligence and system thinking theories. By modelling entrepreneurial university, the empirical data from extensive qualitative research on Lithuanian academic institutions in the context of innovation system were applied. The triangulation approach was chosen in order to understand deeper the complexity of the entrepreneurial university. The empirical research consists of the qualitative expert interviews, content analysis and assessment of strategic documents from the national universities, The proposed conceptual model of the promotion of universitỳs entrepreneurship distinguishes three levels of interactions: Macro, Mezzo, and Micro. The synergy between these levels delineates the various processes using the comprehensible 'Where?', 'How?', and 'What For?' questions. The EU universities may apply the model for creating ICT supported entrepreneurship promotion strategies or/and by implementing specific entrepreneurial activities.