Journal of Entrepreneurship Research

Journal of Entrepreneurship Research

The Promoters of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at Ilam University

Document Type : Research Article

Author
Homayoon Moradnezhadi
Department of entrepreneurship and rural development, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran.
10.22034/jer.2024.2027333.1108
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the existence of various scientific-research infrastructures, such as research institutes and research centers, science and technology parks, and different incubators in Ilam province, student-based knowledge-based companies and nuclei are few. Considering the importance of developing and promoting entrepreneurial activities and the role of universities and higher education centers in the formation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this research was conducted to develop a model for the promoters of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Ilam University.
Methodology: In this research, the promoters of the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Ilam University were analyzed using the Delphi technique in three rounds. After reviewing the literature and the internal and external experiences of the formation of academic entrepreneurship ecosystems, a semi-structured questionnaire was developed to explore the promoters of the entrepreneurship ecosystem from the perspective of the research participants. The participants were 14 faculty members of Ilam University who were experts in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and were studied purposefully. In the first round, based on a semi-structured interview, the promoters of the entrepreneurial ecosystem were compiled based on the participants' points of view and examined the literature. In the second and third rounds, the participants expressed their opinions about these promoters on a Likert scale. SPSS version 26 and Excel software were used for data analysis.
Findings: The results showed that some promoters of the innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem at Ilam University included improving the structure of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the university to develop technological and entrepreneurial activities of faculty members and students, setting up a business and entrepreneurship consulting office in colleges, defining and allocating innovation grants for projects of faculty members, theses, and student theses in the form of student business cores, strengthening group and team cooperation in teaching, projects, and research plans, project cooperation with organizations, forcing faculty members to specialize their research and consulting activities and to set up the market and labor market information system of Iraq and the jobs and labor market of the country and the province.
Conclusion/ Implications: Considering the importance of the structure in advancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem and the experiences of successful universities in the world in this field, it is suggested that Ilam University, taking into account the existing laws and regulations, set up the Vice-Chancellor of Entrepreneurship and Technology in the university. Changing the title and function of the Science and Technology Development Center Council to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Council is another recommendation. In the next step, it is necessary to revise the description of the duties of this council and formulate its duties according to the functions of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem of the university.
Keywords
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Entrepreneurship Education
Entrepreneur University
Innovation

Subjects

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Journal of Entrepreneurship Research
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
Spring 2024
Pages 93-110

  • Receive Date 25 April 2024
  • Revise Date 31 May 2024
  • Accept Date 01 June 2024