Keywords
innovation ecosystem model
entrepreneurial university
dynamic capabilities
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to outline the role of universities in the existing models of innovation ecosystems. Based on a literature review, theoretical approaches are compared with the practical case study of Kyiv Academic University through focus groups and in-depth interviews with the ecosystem representatives and stakeholders. This research identifies that the key functions of the universities within the innovation ecosystems include being an academic and technology anchor, entrepreneurial university, institutional entrepreneur, knowledge-exchange leader, trust-builder, and political actor. This paper contributes to the theoretical foundations of the ecosystem functioning by arguing for the necessity to combine a linear approach for the structured innovation development progression, a helix model – for stakeholder engagement and a network model – and for dynamic interconnectivity. The conducted case study analyses confirm Academ.City ecosystem alignment with the best practices of the European regional innovation ecosystems and can be used as a benchmark for other universities in emerging economies.
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