Expanding the vision of entrepreneurial universities: a case study of UNIRIO in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to study a set of entrepreneurial activities at a public university and the interaction with other universities, the business sector and government at Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Brazil. The study sought an understanding of the dynamics and results of the research activities, the interaction with various organizations and the establishing of commercial, social, cultural and civic entrepreneurship developed by UNIRIO's research groups. Analysis of the activities related to entrepreneurship, in a broad sense, offers the possibility of shedding light on less appreciated but equally important aspects of the activities performed by universities, representing an initiative focused on social and humanistic activities. It is this set of endeavors, aimed at the commercialization of technology and appropriation of knowledge, along with others aimed at creating social value, that comprise the entrepreneurial university.

Facets of Social Innovation in Higher Education

“…Policies on intellectual property are built into HEI's protocols which is important to nurture innovation and give support to companies that can develop and employ people. The development of entrepreneurial activities incorporating a third mission proved to be a complex matter (Almeida et al, 2016). Almeida et al (2016) showed that when commercial entrepreneurship was beginning and when patenting, technology transfer, and spin-offs were new and untested, although embodied in university proposals, it was difficult to see the evidence in practice.…”

“…The development of entrepreneurial activities incorporating a third mission proved to be a complex matter (Almeida et al, 2016). Almeida et al (2016) showed that when commercial entrepreneurship was beginning and when patenting, technology transfer, and spin-offs were new and untested, although embodied in university proposals, it was difficult to see the evidence in practice. Change takes time and investment.…”

Challenges and Drawbacks in the Marketisation of Higher Education Within Neoliberalism

“…To be qualified as entrepreneurial, universities should develop different strategies through a thorough transformative process: "(1) the university starts to define its priorities and diversify its income sources, (2) the institution starts commercializing the intellectual property that arises from its research activities, and (3) the university takes an active role in participating in its regional innovation environment" (Etzkowitz, 2015, p. 63; see also Almeida et al, 2016).…”

O processo de empresarização e o discurso da universidade empreendedora: Uma análise da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel)

“…Dentre alguns dos trabalhos já realizados no Brasil que se concentram no estudo do tema "universidade empreendedora" (Almeida et al, 2016;Andrade, 2014;Camargo, 2015;Casado, Siluk & Zampieri, 2012;Guaranys, 2006;Lorentz, 2015;Morgades, 2016;Orsett, 2016;Otani, 2008;Rothenbuhler, 2000;Sá, 2014;Souza & Palma, 2010), os mesmos se destacam por abordar e defender positivamente a sua importância. Portanto, ressalta-se a relevância em lançar um novo olhar para o tema proposto a partir da já mencionada associação entre universidade empreendedora e empresarização, bem como por trabalhar o tema a partir de um viés crítico.…”