Fulfilling University third mission: towards an ecosystemic strategy of entrepreneurship education

Studies in Higher Education. 2021. Vol. 46. No. 5. P. 1000–1010.

Nicotra M., Del Giudice M., Romano M.

This paper presents an organizing framework of Entrepreneurship Education (EE) evolving strategies to fulfill third mission in an Entrepreneurial University. Actually, universities are struggling to face the challenges in achieving third mission objectives enhancing entrepreneurial culture to prosper in an entrepreneurial society. In this context, there is currently no clear categorization in the literature of the different EE academic strategies able to contribute differently to third mission goals and impact. Gathering from the literature on EE, the paper typifies academic EE strategies and their evolution toward an ecosystemic approach that is here seen as an ideal scenario to align EE within the mission and values expected to achieve third mission outcomes and impact. The contribution is a starting point for future research in the field, paving the way for empirical validations able to highlight the link between University EE strategy and University ability to implement its third mission. It can also serve as a guide for entrepreneurship educators, university executives and policy makers to develop extensive and effective strategies in the EE field.

Keywords: предпринимательский университет, ecosystem, экосистема, предпринимательское образование, entrepreneurial university, third mission, entrepreneurship education, третья миссия

Publication based on the results of: Challenges and opportunities for science, technology, and innovation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2021)