Mutualism in ecosystems of innovation and entrepreneurship: A bidirectional perspective on universities’ linkages

Journal of Business Research. 2021. Vol. 137. No. September 2021. P. 184–197.

Rücker Schaeffer P., Guerrero M., Brandao Fischer B.

The accumulation of knowledge that explains universities’ contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship’s regional eco-systems has mainly adopted a perspective based on technology transfer processes from academia to markets. Alternatively, in this study, we assume the notion of mutualism, based on the biomimetic rationale of eco-system studies that involve bidirectional flows of resources and capabilities to generate interactions and value co-creation among agents. This study theorizes about the interrelation between universities and eco-system actors in two directions: (a) universities fostering and improving eco-systems through their core activities; and (b) eco-system actors shaping capabilities and access to resources for universities. Based on the analysis of five eco-systems in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, our results underscore the existence of mutualism in the relationships established between universities and eco-system agents. The findings also highlighted implications related to the coordination of policies and the need for strategic management practices in mutualistic interactions.

Keywords: Emerging countries, innovation ecosystems, university-industry collaboration, entrepreneurial universities, Entrepreneurship Ecosystems, bidirectional relationships

Publication based on the results of: Research on the efficiency of innovation generation processes: resources and factors (2021)