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Assessing the Impact of Universities’ Entrepreneurial Activity on Regional Competitiveness

Author

Listed:
  • Gonçalo Rodrigues Brás

    (IN+, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    ISLA–Instituto Superior de Gestão e Administração de Santarém, 2000-241 Santarem, Portugal
    DEGEIT, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    CeBER, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-512 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Miguel Torres Preto

    (IN+, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Ana Dias Daniel

    (DEGEIT, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    GOVCOPP, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Aurora A. C. Teixeira

    (CEF.UP, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto, 4200-464 Porto, Portugal
    INESC TEC, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to test the multidimensional construct of the Entrepreneurial University (EU), and therefore to confirm whether EU factors make a positive contribution to regional competitiveness. Data were collected from ten Portuguese Public Universities (PPUs) through a self-administered questionnaire. First- and second-order confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed through factor and multiple linear regression analyses. The main findings show that EU related factors—perceived and combined with actual regional metrics—especially entrepreneurial supporting measures, positively contributed to regional competitiveness. This study shows policy makers that universities are not merely cost centres but provide knowledge spillovers that can have a positive influence on regional competitiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonçalo Rodrigues Brás & Miguel Torres Preto & Ana Dias Daniel & Aurora A. C. Teixeira, 2023. "Assessing the Impact of Universities’ Entrepreneurial Activity on Regional Competitiveness," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:34-:d:1048959
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    References listed on IDEAS

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