This study aims to indicate the most significant entrepreneurial environmental challenges that motivate universities of Kurdistan to become more entrepreneurial.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to indicate the most significant entrepreneurial environmental challenges that motivate universities of Kurdistan to become more entrepreneurial.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study of 24 in-depth semi-structured interviews with deans and heads of department in the universities of Kurdistan Region deals with what is meant by being an entrepreneurial university and what challenges motivate universities toward adopting the entrepreneurial university model. Interviews were organized, coded and grouped using template analysis approach.
Findings
The results showed that most significant entrepreneurial environmental challenges that push universities in Kurdistan Region to becoming more entrepreneurial are university funding, having collaborations, contributing to the regional development, developing entrepreneurial competencies, globalization challenges, the need for innovation and the emergence of the opposition forces.
Research limitations/implications
This study examines only the entrepreneurial environmental challenges that have been identified by Gibb et al. (2013). Also, it does not consider the role of leadership in dealing with these challenges.
Originality/value
This study extends the framework of Gibb et al. (2013) of the entrepreneurial environmental challenges that push universities to become more entrepreneurial by considering the challenges that universities in developing countries face. Then, this study adds greater clarity to the challenges that motivate universities to become more entrepreneurial in developing countries.