Driving Factors for Converting Teaching-Oriented Universities Into Entrepreneurial Universities

Abstract

In order to accelerate economic growth, many countries have developed and implemented different programs and mechanisms. Benefiting universities' knowledge production and human capacity are one of those mechanisms and therefore entrepreneurial universities, in particular, are considered as a strategic factor in order to realize this target. While in many advanced economies, mainly in Europe and United States, entrepreneurial universities have been established over the years, but this has not been realized in emerging economies. Against this background and the activities found in Turkey, this article sheds light on the current state of Turkish universities regarding their development into entrepreneurial universities. Main findings show that existence of IP policy and TTO is driving factors for entrepreneurial universities. In addition, IP awareness activities in the campus, novelty search and using patent during academic promotion motivates universities to become more entrepreneurial.