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Title: Higher education institutions-led entrepreneurial ecosystem building: a systematic review from university-industry knowledge exchange perspective

Authors: Nourah Ayman Boodai; Abdulwahab Ayman Boodai

Addresses: Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK ' Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK

Abstract: This systematic literature review explores how universities contribute to Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) through Knowledge Exchange (KE) with industry. While universities provide critical resources and specialised knowledge that foster venture creation and growth, most prior studies have examined university-industry collaboration broadly rather than its interaction with EEs. To address this gap, 21 peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science and analysed using bibliometric and thematic methods. Articles unrelated to university-industry KE or outside the timeframe were excluded. The review found that universities engage in KE via consultancy, contract research, collaborative research, licensing, patents, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), research commercialisation and open innovation communities. These mechanisms promote the commercialisation of new technologies and ideas, strengthen EEs and foster spinoffs, high-technology startups and impact-driven entrepreneurship, underscoring the multifaceted nature of university-industry KE.

Keywords: HEIs; higher education institutions; entrepreneurial ecosystem building; knowledge exchange mechanisms; entrepreneurial university; university-industry knowledge exchange; contract research; continuous professional development; impact-driven entrepreneurship; collaborative research; systematic literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2025.150418

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2025 Vol.21 No.5, pp.72 - 91

Received: 15 Jun 2025
Accepted: 02 Aug 2025
Published online: 12 Dec 2025 *