Dimensions of the Entrepreneurial University and its Role in The Perception of Regional Competitiveness

Abstract

The aim of this study is to test the multidimensionality of the Entrepreneurial University (EU) construct, and to assess the contribution of EU to regional competitiveness. Based on 619 responses from students, faculty, and staff from ten Portuguese public universities we undertook a confirmatory factor analyses and multiple linear regression model estimations. The proposed EU construct was confirmed, thus proving the adequacy of scales for the context of those universities. Overall, the findings show that the five associated factors to EU - internal processes, entrepreneurial support measures, international collaboration, financing strategy and organizational structure - make a positive contribution to the perception of regional competitiveness, highlighting the role of public universities as poles of technological transfer which enhance regional competitiveness.