Creating Entrepreneurial Universities: The Swedish Approach of Transformation
Sweden has succeeded to maintain a high level of
growth and development and has managed to sustain highly ranked
position among the world’s developed countries. In this regard,
Swedish universities are playing a vital role in supporting innovation
and entrepreneurship at all levels and developing Swedish knowledge
economy. This paper is aiming to draw on the experiences of two leading
Swedish universities, addressing their transformation approach to
create entrepreneurial universities and fulfilling their objectives in the
era of knowledge economy. The objectives of the paper include: 1) Introducing the Swedish
higher education and its characteristics. 2) Examining the
infrastructure elements for innovation and Entrepreneurship at two of
the Swedish entrepreneurial universities. 3) Addressing the key
aspects of support systems in the initiatives of both Chalmers and
Gothenburg universities to support innovation and advance
entrepreneurial practices. The paper will contribute to two discourses: 1) Examining the
relationship between support systems for innovation and
entrepreneurship and the Universities’ policies and practices. 2)
Lessons for University leaders to assist the development and
implementation of effective innovation and entrepreneurship policies
and practices.
[1] Baptista, R., and Leitão, J., (2015), Entrepreneurship, Human Capital,
and Regional Development, E-book, Springer.
[2] Benneworth, P., Conen, L., Moodysson, J., & Asheim, B. (2009),
Exploring the Multiple Roles of Lund University in Strengthening
Scania’s Regional Innovation System: Towards Institutional Learning?
European Planning Studies 17(11), pp. 1645-1664.
[3] Berggren, E., & Lindholm Dahlstrand, Å., (2009), Creating an
Entrepreneurial Region: Two Waves of Academic Spin-offs from
Halmstad University, European Planning Studies, 17(8), pp. 1171-1189.
[4] Boucher, G., Conway, C., And Der Meer, E., (2003),Tiers of
Engagement by Universities in their Region’s Development, Regional
Studies, 37.(9), pp. 887–897.
[5] Chaminade, C., Zabala, J., and Treccani., A. (2010), The Swedish
national innovation system and its relevance for the emergence of global
innovation networks, National innovation systems and global innovation
networks, Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the
Learning Economy (CIRCLE) Lund University.
[6] European Commission, (2015), National Student Fee and Support
Systems in European Higher Education, Available at:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/facts_and_figur
es/fees_support.pdf
[7] Fogelberg H., and Lundqvist, M., (2013), Integration of academic and
entrepreneurial roles: The case of nanotechnology research at Chalmers
University of Technology, Science and Public Policy, 40, pp. 127–139.
[8] Guerrero, M., and Liñán, F., (2009), Entrepreneurial Universities and
Regional Development: A Spanish Case Study, in the Handbook of
Regional Economics. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
[9] Grueber, M., Studt, T., Horowitz, M., Tripp, S., Gillespie, A.,
Rosenberg, E., McCoy, P., and Kuchta, C., (2014), Global R&D
Funding Forecast, Battelle.
[10] Hofer, A. Potter, J., Fayolle, A., Gulbrandsen,M., Hannon, P., Harding,
R., Dahlstrand, A., and Phan P., (2010), “From Strategy to Practice in
University Entrepreneurship Support: Strengthening Entrepreneurship
and Local Economic Development in Eastern Germany: Youth,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation”, OECD Local Economic and
Employment Development (LEED) Working Papers, OECD Publishing.
[11] Jacob, M., Lundqvist, M., & Hellsmark, H. (2003), Entrepreneurial
transformations in the Swedish university system: The case of Chalmers
University of Technology. Research Policy, 32(9), pp. 1555–1569.
[12] Ketels, C. H.M. (2012), "Sweden's Position in the Global Economy."
Globaliseringsforum Rapport, Entreprenörskapsforum, Stockholm,
Sweden.
[13] Lindholm Dahlstrand, Å. and Jacobsson, S.: (2003) “Universities and
Technology-based Entrepreneurship in the Gothenburg region”, Local
Economy, 18 (1), pp. 80-90.
[14] Marklund, G., Nilsson, R., Sandgren, P., Thorslund, J.G., Ulström, J.
(2004), The Swedish National Innovation System 1970-2003. Vinnova
Analysis VA 2004:1.
[15] NCGE, (2011), The Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2010/2011,
National Centre for Guidance in Education.
[16] OECD, (2013), Main Science and Technology Indicators, Volume
2013/1, Paris: OECD. Available at:
http://www.oecd.org/sti/2013_1_documentation_e.pdf.
[17] Pfeilstetter, R., (2013), Entrepreneurship and regional development in
Europe: A comparative, socio-anthropological case study in Germany
and Spain, Anthropological Notebooks, 19 (1), pp. 45–57.
[18] QS Quacquarelli Symonds, (2015), QS World University Rankings,
2014, Available at: http://www.topuniversities.com/universityrankings/
world-university-rankings/2014#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+s
earch=.
[19] Rasmussen E., and Sørheim, R., (2006), Action-Based Entrepreneurship
Education, Technovation, 26, pp. 185–194, Elsevier Ltd.
[20] Sellenthin, M., (2004), Who should own university research? An
exploratory study of the impact of patent rights regimes in Sweden and
Germany on the incentives to patent research results, ITPS, Swedish
Institute for Growth Policy Studies.
[21] Swedish Higher Education Authority, (2013), Higher education in
Sweden, 2013 status report. Available at: https://www.ukambetet.
se/download/18.1c251de913ecebc40e780003405/14030936163
67/annual-report-2013-ny.pdf.
[22] United Nations Development Programme (2013), Human Development
Report, The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World, 1
UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.
[23] Vilà P., and Cufí, P., (2002), Detection of Best Practices in the Field of
University Entrepreneurship, An Analysis Of 13 European Centers of
Entrepreneurship, CIDEM (Center for Innovation and Business
Development) of the Generalitat de Catalunya..
[24] World Bank, (2008), Knowledge Economy Index Rankings, Available
at:http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTUNIKAM/Resources/KEI2008
Highlights_final12052008.pdf.
[25] World Bank, (2012), Knowledge Economy Index Rankings, Available
at:http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTUNIKAM/Resources/2012.pdf.
[1] Baptista, R., and Leitão, J., (2015), Entrepreneurship, Human Capital,
and Regional Development, E-book, Springer.
[2] Benneworth, P., Conen, L., Moodysson, J., & Asheim, B. (2009),
Exploring the Multiple Roles of Lund University in Strengthening
Scania’s Regional Innovation System: Towards Institutional Learning?
European Planning Studies 17(11), pp. 1645-1664.
[3] Berggren, E., & Lindholm Dahlstrand, Å., (2009), Creating an
Entrepreneurial Region: Two Waves of Academic Spin-offs from
Halmstad University, European Planning Studies, 17(8), pp. 1171-1189.
[4] Boucher, G., Conway, C., And Der Meer, E., (2003),Tiers of
Engagement by Universities in their Region’s Development, Regional
Studies, 37.(9), pp. 887–897.
[5] Chaminade, C., Zabala, J., and Treccani., A. (2010), The Swedish
national innovation system and its relevance for the emergence of global
innovation networks, National innovation systems and global innovation
networks, Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the
Learning Economy (CIRCLE) Lund University.
[6] European Commission, (2015), National Student Fee and Support
Systems in European Higher Education, Available at:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/documents/facts_and_figur
es/fees_support.pdf
[7] Fogelberg H., and Lundqvist, M., (2013), Integration of academic and
entrepreneurial roles: The case of nanotechnology research at Chalmers
University of Technology, Science and Public Policy, 40, pp. 127–139.
[8] Guerrero, M., and Liñán, F., (2009), Entrepreneurial Universities and
Regional Development: A Spanish Case Study, in the Handbook of
Regional Economics. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
[9] Grueber, M., Studt, T., Horowitz, M., Tripp, S., Gillespie, A.,
Rosenberg, E., McCoy, P., and Kuchta, C., (2014), Global R&D
Funding Forecast, Battelle.
[10] Hofer, A. Potter, J., Fayolle, A., Gulbrandsen,M., Hannon, P., Harding,
R., Dahlstrand, A., and Phan P., (2010), “From Strategy to Practice in
University Entrepreneurship Support: Strengthening Entrepreneurship
and Local Economic Development in Eastern Germany: Youth,
Entrepreneurship and Innovation”, OECD Local Economic and
Employment Development (LEED) Working Papers, OECD Publishing.
[11] Jacob, M., Lundqvist, M., & Hellsmark, H. (2003), Entrepreneurial
transformations in the Swedish university system: The case of Chalmers
University of Technology. Research Policy, 32(9), pp. 1555–1569.
[12] Ketels, C. H.M. (2012), "Sweden's Position in the Global Economy."
Globaliseringsforum Rapport, Entreprenörskapsforum, Stockholm,
Sweden.
[13] Lindholm Dahlstrand, Å. and Jacobsson, S.: (2003) “Universities and
Technology-based Entrepreneurship in the Gothenburg region”, Local
Economy, 18 (1), pp. 80-90.
[14] Marklund, G., Nilsson, R., Sandgren, P., Thorslund, J.G., Ulström, J.
(2004), The Swedish National Innovation System 1970-2003. Vinnova
Analysis VA 2004:1.
[15] NCGE, (2011), The Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2010/2011,
National Centre for Guidance in Education.
[16] OECD, (2013), Main Science and Technology Indicators, Volume
2013/1, Paris: OECD. Available at:
http://www.oecd.org/sti/2013_1_documentation_e.pdf.
[17] Pfeilstetter, R., (2013), Entrepreneurship and regional development in
Europe: A comparative, socio-anthropological case study in Germany
and Spain, Anthropological Notebooks, 19 (1), pp. 45–57.
[18] QS Quacquarelli Symonds, (2015), QS World University Rankings,
2014, Available at: http://www.topuniversities.com/universityrankings/
world-university-rankings/2014#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+s
earch=.
[19] Rasmussen E., and Sørheim, R., (2006), Action-Based Entrepreneurship
Education, Technovation, 26, pp. 185–194, Elsevier Ltd.
[20] Sellenthin, M., (2004), Who should own university research? An
exploratory study of the impact of patent rights regimes in Sweden and
Germany on the incentives to patent research results, ITPS, Swedish
Institute for Growth Policy Studies.
[21] Swedish Higher Education Authority, (2013), Higher education in
Sweden, 2013 status report. Available at: https://www.ukambetet.
se/download/18.1c251de913ecebc40e780003405/14030936163
67/annual-report-2013-ny.pdf.
[22] United Nations Development Programme (2013), Human Development
Report, The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World, 1
UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.
[23] Vilà P., and Cufí, P., (2002), Detection of Best Practices in the Field of
University Entrepreneurship, An Analysis Of 13 European Centers of
Entrepreneurship, CIDEM (Center for Innovation and Business
Development) of the Generalitat de Catalunya..
[24] World Bank, (2008), Knowledge Economy Index Rankings, Available
at:http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTUNIKAM/Resources/KEI2008
Highlights_final12052008.pdf.
[25] World Bank, (2012), Knowledge Economy Index Rankings, Available
at:http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTUNIKAM/Resources/2012.pdf.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:70918", author = "Fawaz Saad and Hamid Alalwany", title = "Creating Entrepreneurial Universities: The Swedish Approach of Transformation", abstract = "Sweden has succeeded to maintain a high level of
growth and development and has managed to sustain highly ranked
position among the world’s developed countries. In this regard,
Swedish universities are playing a vital role in supporting innovation
and entrepreneurship at all levels and developing Swedish knowledge
economy. This paper is aiming to draw on the experiences of two leading
Swedish universities, addressing their transformation approach to
create entrepreneurial universities and fulfilling their objectives in the
era of knowledge economy. The objectives of the paper include: 1) Introducing the Swedish
higher education and its characteristics. 2) Examining the
infrastructure elements for innovation and Entrepreneurship at two of
the Swedish entrepreneurial universities. 3) Addressing the key
aspects of support systems in the initiatives of both Chalmers and
Gothenburg universities to support innovation and advance
entrepreneurial practices. The paper will contribute to two discourses: 1) Examining the
relationship between support systems for innovation and
entrepreneurship and the Universities’ policies and practices. 2)
Lessons for University leaders to assist the development and
implementation of effective innovation and entrepreneurship policies
and practices.", keywords = "Entrepreneurial university, Chalmers university,
Gothenburg university, innovation and entrepreneurship policies,
entrepreneurial transformation.", volume = "9", number = "8", pages = "2863-8", }
