Universities within the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Abstract

Abstract The entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) has emerged as a popular concept, capturing the systemic nature of entrepreneurship whereby value creation results from the interaction of multiple actors. However, the concept has been criticized for being under-theorized, overlooking the roles of knowledge generators such as universities, and taking a static approach. Given these criticisms, this chapter presents a conceptual model of the EE that outlines the roles of universities and the process of co-evolution, whereby each may promote change in the other. Furthermore, the chapter explores how both the determinism and reactiveness of the university can influence the evolution of the EE. Finally, several further questions are proposed to further develop understanding of universities and EEs.