Abstract

HERRERA-VALVERDE, Daniela; MORA-ESQUIVEL, Ronald  and  LEIVA, Juan Carlos. Costa rican university entrepreneurial ecosystem and its link with the entrepreneurial intention: an exploratory study. Tec Empre. [online]. 2020, vol.14, n.2, pp.64-83. ISSN 1659-3359.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/te.v14i2.5121.

The literature on entrepreneurial university ecosystems has being evidence of possible factors related to entrepreneurial intention, however, there is still a significant information gap. This article seeks to provide a conceptual model that integrates various components of a university entrepreneurial ecosystem that could be related to entrepreneurial intention. The qualitative exploratory study, based on 10 in-depth interviews with professionals linked to entrepreneurial activity in 10 Costa Rican universities, public and private, proposes six pillars: curriculum design, co-curricular activities, organizational infrastructure, strategic commitment, the allocation of financial resources, and the participation of global academic and entrepreneurship networks. It defines, also, technology as a transversal axis. The study confirms, from the point of view of the interviewees, that a link may exists between a set of pillars and their components with the entrepreneurial intention. It highlights the strategic alignment of the universities, the promotion of an entrepreneurial culture, the value of co-curricular activities, the teaching role and the articulation with the national ecosystem.

Keywords : University entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial ecosystem; entrepreneurial intention.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )