Entrepreneurial universities and support mechanisms: a Spanish case study

Abstract

This paper analyses the support mechanisms for entrepreneurship and innovation provided by entrepreneurial universities. Concretely, using a qualitative methodology the case of Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) in Spain is studied. Based on institutional economics approach, the influences of institutions on university potential entrepreneurs (students and faculty) are explored. The main results demonstrate that the success of these mechanisms could be the combination of them according with the specific necessities and requirements of the university. Both, academic and practical implications derive from these results, to improve the creation and development of entrepreneurial universities.