Abstract
The Entrepreneurial University plays a central role in entrepreneurial ecosystems and actively influences the development of entrepreneurial human capital, which is a critical asset for many economies. There is thus a requirement for the identification and strengthening of entrepreneurial competences, but no previous studies have included any analysis of these competences in the university context using an approach based on profiles. The present study fills this gap by investigating the existence of different entrepreneurial profiles among students, based on their competences. It also defines key competences that are critical for differentiating between these profiles and improving entrepreneurial competence levels more generally. To meet these objectives, a field research campaign was developed. Data on 1104 students from various degrees and faculties were collected and analyzed using a quantitative methodological approach. The results reveal the existence of four entrepreneurial competence profiles, namely low profile, top profile, social profile, and grit profile. Among as many as 12 possible entrepreneurial competences, the most prominent can explain to a large extent the entrepreneurial profiles of students; these are networking and professional social skills, community engagement, perseverance of effort, and consistency of interest. The results provide evidence of the importance of social capital and grit. In addition to their contribution to the theory in this area and the development of the Entrepreneurial University paradigm, the results are also useful for the design of training strategies aimed at strengthening the levels of competence of students, thereby providing universities with tools to foster the creation of entrepreneurial human capital.
Highlights
Business and entrepreneurship ecosystems, defined by the collaborative creation of new value and a critical participation in entrepreneurial initiatives, have increasingly been noted to be of service in integrating approaches used to achieve disruptive innovation and improve performance
The concept of the “Entrepreneurial University” has emerged, referring to a university’s evolution toward an ecosystem that combines teaching, research, and knowledge transfer to favor the development of entrepreneurial initiatives with social and economic value (Gibb and Hannon, 2006; Guerrero et al, 2014; Ventura and Quero, 2017)
The Entrepreneurial University involves the implementation of Entrepreneurial Profiles at the University radical innovation to change the traditional conception of the institution (Ventura et al, 2019)
Summary
Business and entrepreneurship ecosystems, defined by the collaborative creation of new value and a critical participation in entrepreneurial initiatives, have increasingly been noted to be of service in integrating approaches used to achieve disruptive innovation and improve performance. From the various definitions of entrepreneurial competences reviewed here, it is possible to identify certain common characteristics In this sense, the entrepreneurial competences are considered to be individual capacities, in terms of a set of knowledge, expertise, skills, tools, attitudes, and values oriented to reach professional development and to achieve entrepreneurial goals. The entrepreneurial competences are considered to be individual capacities, in terms of a set of knowledge, expertise, skills, tools, attitudes, and values oriented to reach professional development and to achieve entrepreneurial goals They are treated as important aspects in the successful performance of entrepreneurial activities in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, meeting the entrepreneurial demands of society. It can be seen that while the number of identified competences varies, there are similarities in their characteristics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
