Implementing the entrepreneurial university concept in the Finnish innovation ecosystem - case of Aalto University

Abstract

Universities have an essential function to contribute to society and economic and social development. In recent times, governments worldwide expect universities to be more efficient, especially in the context of increased global competitiveness. The idea of the entrepreneurial university plays a central role in the triple helix model, which recognises the development of the university’s role from its traditional mission to the main contributor to economic development through technology transfer from the laboratories to the market. The research aimed to discover how a successful entrepreneurial university can be created in the regional innovation ecosystem. The researcher used as a theoretical background the OECD entrepreneurial university framework. One of the most successful Finnish universities, Aalto University, was chosen as the case study in this research. The research method chosen in this master thesis was qualitative, using primary and secondary data. The preliminary data was gathered by conducting detailed interviews with six different stakeholders from Aalto university, representing the students, the management, the professors, the student-led entrepreneurial activities, and the university-led entrepreneurial activities. It is concluded that there are several essential elements for creating a thriving entrepreneurial university. For example, entrepreneurship should be identified and part of the university’s strategy. There is a need for a high-level commitment from all actors – students, staff, and management towards the entrepreneurial strategy. An entrepreneurial university should have a clear and coordinated system to integrate and monitor all entrepreneurial activities around the entire university. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for the creation of a successful entrepreneurial university. The university should also allow all staff and students to experience entrepreneurship. Internationalisation is one of the main features of an entrepreneurial university. Finally, another essential element for creating a thriving entrepreneurial university is monitoring its entrepreneurial activities and their impact on the involved stakeholders.