Building an Entrepreneurial University in Brazil

Abstract

<jats:p> This study is part of a broader research project, conducted by the Triple Helix Research Group – Brazil, focusing on university–industry– government linkages in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The case study reported here is that of the Regional University of Volta Redonda: the aim was to develop an understanding of how a regional university can be transformed into an entrepreneurial university, oriented towards assisting regional economic development. A theoretical framework was constructed using existing literature on regional development and the Triple Helix approach. The research objective was to determine the relevance and effects of university–industry collaboration from the perspective of local players. Two surveys were conducted, one with faculty members at the university and the other with representatives of companies located in the region. No cultural barriers to collaboration were revealed on either side of the relationship; and opportunities to improve a relationship that, in the past, has had little influence on economic development in the region were also identified. </jats:p>

Barriers and facilitators of university-industry collaboration for research, development and innovation: a systematic review

“…In this context, Amaral et al ( 2011 ) emphasized the role of university-industry linkages in promoting regional economic development, while Bruneel et al ( 2010 ) identified several factors that diminish the barriers to UICs. According to Autio and Laamanen ( 1995 ), technology transfer from universities to industry is important in creating value and increasing innovation in firms, a view upheld by Feller et al ( 2002 ) who found that universities play a significant role in technological innovation in industry.…”

“…The government plays a fundamental role in making UICs a reality, and many governments around the world have developed policies and initiatives to encourage such collaborations by supplying funding for joint research projects, offering tax incentives for research and development, and creating innovation hubs and technology parks (Amaral et al 2011 ; Bastos et al 2021 ). In their analysis of UICs in the context of European Framework Programmes, Caloghirou et al ( 2001 ) noted that government policies have a significant impact on the nature and extent of collaboration between universities and industry.…”

“…Etzkowitz ( 2003 ) stressed the importance of the university as a driving force of innovation, the so-called entrepreneurial university, the role of which is not only to create knowledge and train new professionals but also to generate enterprises, particularly those that are technology-based. According to Amaral et al ( 2011 ), for this type of innovation to occur, proactive leaders with entrepreneurial skills are required to promote interaction between the various players. Alunurm et al ( 2020 ) have described the barriers and factors that interfere in the relationship between academic and industrial partners, without making it clear which barriers affect the different partners.…”

“…Implementation of the triple helix model can be facilitated by government as part of its fundamental role in the regional development of innovation. Amaral et al ( 2011 ) stated that it is necessary to increase the complexity of RD&I infrastructure and to transfer power to regional bodies that can encourage members of the triple helix to engage in joint innovation projects, create innovation networks and develop industrial creativity. For this to occur, universities must be proactive in their entrepreneurial mission (Schulze-Krogh and Calignano 2020 ).…”

Linking HEIs with the production sector: A communication approach between key actors in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

“…An entrepreneurial university can be defined as a versatile institution which constantly finds new solutions to ongoing societal problems and challenges that arise from an unpredictable environment (Hannon, 2013). One of the current challenges in the region of Ciudad Juárez is to transform universities into entrepreneurial education entities with the key mission of generating, disseminating, and applying knowledge to create new products, processes, and services for social benefit (Amaral et al, 2011).…”