Developing entrepreneurial universities: the use of external knowledge

Abstract

Based on the absorptive capacity concept theory, this study aims to understand how universities develop entrepreneurial capabilities and how it affects academic entrepreneurial intentions. This study investigates Saudi Arabian universities. A number of Saudi universities are currently in a transition phase as they develop their entrepreneurial capabilities. This study employs a mixed-methods approach with two phases. Phase 1 is quantitative; data were collected using a questionnaire survey with Saudi Arabian academics as survey respondents, and the data were analysed using correlation analysis and multiple regression. Phase 2 is qualitative; data were collected using semi-structured interviews with senior university management participants, and analyses were conducted using the thematic analysis method. In Phase 1, the study found that academic entrepreneurial intention is predicted by potential absorptive capacity, realised absorptive capacity, networks, and scientific productivity. Additionally, the results indicate a positive relationship between potential absorptive capacity, realised absorptive capacity, scientific productivity, networks and academic entrepreneurial intention. In phase 2, the thematic analysis resulted in the following themes: the application of absorptive capacity, including four mechanisms of absorptive capacity, the microprocesses of absorptive capacity in case universities, the main challenges for entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial intention, the power of networking and collaboration, and different maturity levels in universities. The study concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications. The present study extends the knowledge of the absorptive capacity concept's utility in the context of higher education. The study creates insights into the process involved in developing entrepreneurial universities in a Saudi Arabian context. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into how university management can encourage academic entrepreneurial intention at their institutions. The findings of this study will be important to the senior management of universities, as well as policymakers in supporting universities towards achieving their third mission of developing entrepreneurial capabilities.

Date of Thesis submission	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Dilupa Nakandala (Supervisor) & Prem Samaranayake (Supervisor)