The role of university environment in promoting entrepreneurial behavior: evidence from heterogeneous regions in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the microfoundations of student entrepreneurship, a cornerstone of innovation ecosystems. To this end, this paper assesses how perceived university support for entrepreneurship influences entrepreneurial characteristics and intentions in students enrolled at Amazonas and São Paulo State Universities. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach based on multivariate data analysis using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was applied to a sample of 420 respondents. Findings Results indicate that the university environment positively influences entrepreneurial behavior and intention in students. Nonetheless, further integration between academia and external dimensions of the ecosystems is necessary to drive more intense entrepreneurial activity in students. The educational contexts of Amazonas and São Paulo present significant differences in the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intention with a stronger influence found for Amazonas. This finding suggests a relative lack of propensity of students from São Paulo to engage in entrepreneurial venturing. Research limitations/implications The main limitations involve the use of non-probabilistic sampling procedures and students’ heterogeneity in terms of academic seniority. Practical implications This research offers guidance for policies targeting the generation of entrepreneurial activity in universities embedded in developing countries’ innovation ecosystems and facing distinct levels of socioeconomic development. Originality/value This research presents a novel analysis of the microfoundations driving student entrepreneurship within different educational contexts in a developing country. Results highlight the necessary conditions for universities to foster entrepreneurial activity and, incidentally, feed innovation ecosystems with entrepreneurial talent.

Performance drivers in knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial firms: a multidimensional perspective

“…First, it contains the bulk of the Brazilian megalopolis, a massive conurbation which provides entrepreneurs with agglomeration economies – such as access to markets, business opportunities and connections with incumbents and support structures (Schaeffer et al , 2021; Fischer et al , 2018). Also, this region comprises most of the leading universities and research institutes in Brazil and has a strong technological activity for the standards of a developing country (Rocha et al , 2021; Alves et al , 2021). Ultimately, this translates into a wealthy knowledge environment that disseminates entrepreneurial capabilities (Fischer et al , 2018).…”

University’s support for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention: the mediating role of entrepreneurial climate

“…Providing knowledge about entrepreneurship as a career choice and opportunities to participate in running simulated or real business through entrepreneurship education can, therefore, potentially play an important role in developing students' selfefficacy. However, the impact of educational support for entrepreneurship on students' EI remains mixed, with some studies finding a positive relationship (Saeed et al, 2015;Wegner et al, 2020), while others no relationship (Mustafa et al, 2016;Rocha et al, 2021). Secondly, concept development support can help students nurture and develop their business ideas, thus improving their chances of successful commercialisation (Choi et al, 2018).…”

“…Moreover, research has found entrepreneurial climates to foster students’ EI above and beyond their individual-related characteristics (Bergmann et al , 2018). Therefore, it is important to understand the relationships between formal (university support) and informal (entrepreneurial climate) contexts within universities and how they stimulate students’ EI (Rocha et al , 2021).…”

“…We contribute to the literature in three ways. Firstly, we respond to calls to untangle the impact of different elements of university support for entrepreneurship on students’ EI (Rocha et al , 2021; Wegner et al , 2020). Secondly, we provide a new perspective on the importance of entrepreneurial climate in influencing student’s EI within a university environment underpinned IT.…”

Corporate entrepreneurship at the university: the influence of managerial support, autonomy and reward on the innovative behavior of university professors

“…In the Brazilian institutional context, public universities concentrate most researchers and their technology transfer activities are regulated by government acts (Fischer et al , 2018; Moraes et al , 2021). Despite the recent advance of research carried out in Brazilian private universities, public universities are still classified as the main organizations in research and teaching quality (Rocha et al , 2021). However, the ecosystem of public universities is more developed for scientific research activities than for entrepreneurial activities (Barral et al , 2018; Moraes et al , 2021).…”