Abstract:
Higher education systems of South Asian countries
especially the Engineering education focus more on technological
knowledge development than entrepreneurial attitude and skills
development. However, by introducing reforms into the existing
university system to promote entrepreneurial ecosystems, a few
technological universities have attempted this in the recent past in
emerging economies. In addressing important issue, University of
Moratuwa, the premier technological university in Sri Lanka, launched
certain entrepreneurial initiatives to promote the entrepreneurial
capabilities of its Engineering undergraduates in the recent past.
However, the perceived effect of this phenomenon on various
stakeholders of the university is not yet explored. In order to address
this empirical gap, the present study aimed at investigating
stakeholders' attitudes towards effectiveness of these initiatives in
enhancing entrepreneurial eco-system of the university. On this
ground, the study adopted a qualitative in-depth interview with the key
stakeholders who was involved in the entrepreneurial eco-system,
selected based on purposive sampling. The data was analyzed using
thematic analysis using narratives. Thematic analysis of interview data
revealed that academic leadership style laid the corner-stone for
formally establishing a dynamic entrepreneurial strategy and creating
change agents who flourish entrepreneurial eco-system of the
university. The analysis also revealed many interesting themes behind
the success including how networking and collaborations with external
agents fueled the process, role of existing brand image of the university
and how structural changes overcame the barriers. These imply that
action-oriented, student-centered programs need to be developed prior
to institutionalizing entrepreneurship through curriculum changes and
alignment of organization structure through strategic leadership and
intent. Policy makers could gain insights from this study on how to
facilitate entrepreneurship in the university system as knowledgebased
entrepreneurs will create societal, technological and economic
value for an emerging economy
