The entrepreneurial university in the Global South: Opportunities and constraints

Abstract

This editorial examines the evolving role of entrepreneurial universities as catalysts for socio-economic development, emphasizing their dual mission of generating academic knowledge and fostering social impact and regional growth. While the concept of the entrepreneurial university has gained prominence globally, much of the existing scholarship remains fragmented and disproportionately centered on the Global North. In response, this special issue explores how universities in diverse contexts adopt and adapt entrepreneurial strategies, contributing to local ecosystems while navigating distinct socio-political and economic challenges. By employing a network analysis of keywords from relevant literature and the accepted papers, we identify emergent and consolidated themes, highlighting areas for further inquiry. The editorial concludes with a research agenda that underscores the need for more context-sensitive approaches to entrepreneurial university models.