University-linked programmes for sustainable entrepreneurship and regional development: how and with what impact?

Marcus Wagner, Stefan Schaltegger, Erik G. Hansen () and Klaus Fichter
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Stefan Schaltegger: Leuphana University Lüneburg, Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM)
Erik G. Hansen: Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), Institute for Integrated Quality Design (IQD)
Klaus Fichter: Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg & Borderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability

Small Business Economics, 2021, vol. 56, issue 3, No 12, 1158 pages

Abstract: Abstract State universities are increasingly being transformed from institutions with traditional teaching and research responsibilities to have a third, societal role in sustainable regional and economic development. In doing so, universities support knowledge spillovers to improve sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems that benefit economic revitalization or further development of regions. At the same time they promote stakeholder involvement in crucial governance processes at the regional level. Based on a comparative case study design building on three cases in Germany, our research analyses these interdependencies focussing on university-linked support programmes for sustainable entrepreneurship and the effects on sustainable regional development. Our findings provide a nuanced view clarifying the different roles universities have, how knowledge spillovers are created, and what outputs, outcomes, and effects are realized at the regional level and beyond. Specifically, we demonstrate that depending on the regional context, different configurations, pathways, and intervention points of universities may equally improve sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Keywords: University; Support; Programmes; Sustainable; Entrepreneurship; Regional; Development; Innovation; Facilitation; Sustainability; Ecopreneurs; Start-ups (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L26 O12 Q01 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11187-019-00280-4

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