Towards an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem in higher education: experience of a South Asian technological university

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