IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMATION INTO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MODEL: ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, INNOVATIVE AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS
Abstract
The article conducts an investigation into the comprehensive effects of transforming traditional higher education institutions into entrepreneurial universities, emphasising their growing significance in the global knowledge economy. The notion of entrepreneurial transformation is posited as a strategic response to a triad of challenges. Firstly, there is the issue of globalisation, which has resulted in intensifying competition in the higher education sector. Secondly, there is the digitalisation of learning environments. Thirdly, there is the increasing demand for universities to play an active role in innovation-driven development. The objective of the research is to identify, classify, and analyse the key outcomes of this transformation, focusing on the economic, educational, innovative, and social dimensions. The methodological approach integrates theoretical and empirical methods, including analysis and synthesis of conceptual frameworks, expert evaluations, and case study methods. This combination enables a comprehensive examination of how entrepreneurial universities engender effects not only for their internal sustainability but also for broader socio-economic systems. The results demonstrate that the economic effects of transformation include the diversification of funding sources and revenue growth through the commercialisation of research. The educational effects include modernising the curriculum, developing entrepreneurial competencies, improving graduate employability and internationalising academic programmes. The innovative effects can be seen in the formation of startup ecosystems, an enhanced capacity for research and development, integration into global innovation networks and an expansion of intellectual property portfolios. Finally, the social effects emphasise the university’s role in strengthening its partnerships with businesses and governments, promoting an entrepreneurial culture, improving social mobility and enhancing regional social infrastructure. The practical value of the study lies in its applicability to the strategic management of higher education institutions, particularly in emerging economies. The entrepreneurial university model is of particular pertinence to Ukraine, as it offers a route to enhance competitiveness, contribute to post-war recovery, and fortify integration into the European and global educational sphere. The findings of this article could provide a methodological basis for university leaders and policymakers who are looking to encourage innovation, ensure sustainability and maximise the societal impact of universities.
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