Micro-dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems from the perspective of academic entrepreneurs

Abstract

An individual will often present a single, more or less defined identity which is central to his or her self. On given situations, one's central identity can be dislocated, thus giving space for a new one to take its place. This transitional state between a central identity and a new identity is referred to in the literature by the concept of liminality. The research proposed in this project focusses on the liminal venturing of university researchers. In other words, their transition from an academic career to full-fledged entrepreneurship. In established entrepreneurial ecosystems (with special emphasis on knowledge-intensive ecosystems), researchers can develop technologies and even Intellectual Property (IP) from their scientific discoveries and commercialize them in the form of products or services to industry agents. In some cases, scholars abandon their academic careers in order to endeavor on a self-owned business venture. On the other hand, there are those who are discouraged to do so and use their technologies and IPs as mechanisms for leveraging their career in research. Whatever the case, the choice between transitioning to an entrepreneurial career or not falls within the discussion of liminality, a transitional state involving the development of a new identity for the individual. However, values upheld by entrepreneurs, such as competitiveness and ownership, are not always in line with scholarly values of production and dissemination of knowledge. Therefore, the transition between professional identities for researchers might not be an easy process. There is an inherent complexity to the matter which requires further investigation for understanding its antecedents and the way it drives new ventures. Furthermore, this is an issue that lies at the very foundation of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial ecosystems, affecting the dynamics of technology transfer and flows from academia to markets, as well as the inception of an entrepreneurial culture within the region. This research aims at generating implications for both university-level managers and policymakers. (AU)