Article: Entrepreneurial academics and academic entrepreneurs: a systematic literature review Journal: International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM) 2018 Vol.77 No.1/2/3 pp.9 - 37 Abstract: Universities are now viewed as key economic actors within regions and are central actors in shaping and influencing entrepreneurial ecosystems. This has meant that universities now have to become more entrepreneurial in offerings, outlook and culture. However, a core actor in this process who is often overlooked is the academic. The ability of an academic to effectively transfer knowledge to industry is key to universities achieving their entrepreneurial mission and ambition. This paper explores the changing roles of academics to identify key distinctions between entrepreneurial academics and academic entrepreneurs. This is done through a systematic literature review spanning 25 years drawing on selected high impact journals in innovation, entrepreneurship and higher education studies. We categorise the types of activity that academics typically engage in and identify the motivations and challenges they face. From this, we identify two types of academics, the entrepreneurial academic and academic entrepreneur. We posit that there is a need for both types of academics to contribute to the success of the entrepreneurial university and conclude by outlining some avenues for future research. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Entrepreneurial academics and academic entrepreneurs: a systematic literature review

Authors: Kristel Miller; Allen Alexander; James A. Cunningham; Ekaterina Albats

Addresses: Queen's Management School, Queen's University, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT95EE, UK ' Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research, University of Exeter Business School, G17 – SERFS, Penryn Campus, Truro, TR10 9FE, UK ' Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Type, NE1 8ST, UK ' School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850, Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: Universities are now viewed as key economic actors within regions and are central actors in shaping and influencing entrepreneurial ecosystems. This has meant that universities now have to become more entrepreneurial in offerings, outlook and culture. However, a core actor in this process who is often overlooked is the academic. The ability of an academic to effectively transfer knowledge to industry is key to universities achieving their entrepreneurial mission and ambition. This paper explores the changing roles of academics to identify key distinctions between entrepreneurial academics and academic entrepreneurs. This is done through a systematic literature review spanning 25 years drawing on selected high impact journals in innovation, entrepreneurship and higher education studies. We categorise the types of activity that academics typically engage in and identify the motivations and challenges they face. From this, we identify two types of academics, the entrepreneurial academic and academic entrepreneur. We posit that there is a need for both types of academics to contribute to the success of the entrepreneurial university and conclude by outlining some avenues for future research.

Keywords: university industry collaboration; systematic literature review; SLR; university knowledge transfer; business engagement; commercialisation; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial university; entrepreneurial academic; academic entrepreneur.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2018.091710

International Journal of Technology Management, 2018 Vol.77 No.1/2/3, pp.9 - 37

Received: 02 May 2016
Accepted: 17 Nov 2016
Published online: 14 May 2018 *

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Title: Entrepreneurial academics and academic entrepreneurs: a systematic literature review

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