Academic entrepreneurship: the permanent evolution?

Abstract

In this commentary I argue that in order to understand the wider social and economic contribution of academic entrepreneurship to society there is a need further research from a historical perspective to explore the combined contributions of both commercial and non-commercial academic entrepreneurship. I outline some directions for further historical research on academic entrepreneurship that explores the longevity and life-cycle of such initiatives, the co-evolution and interactions between the different elements of academic entrepreneurship ecosystems over time, and their heterogeneity between and within institutions.