The impetus for change: Why entrepreneurial universities will transform the future (while others will cease to exist)

Abstract

As leaders and innovators in educational institutions attempt to meet future learning needs, it is paramount that they reconsider both the structure and processes that have become legacy models in their academic infrastructure. One key challenge for higher education leadership (and those within the institution seeking to innovate for the future) is to incorporate the spirit and drive exhibited by entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial spirit has driven much development in the economic annals and is key to future societal expansion. Universities can play a vital role in such expansion but only if they align internal structures and manage risk and ambiguity to support mechanisms for learner-centered approaches and leverage technology in the learning process. University leaders must challenge the status quo and address the urgency to balance forces involved in the creation of knowledge and processes for the dissemination of knowledge. Therefore, this chapter focuses on entrepreneurial leadership, organizing structures for reward and risk management, tolerance for ambiguity, leading change efforts that include adjusting to more learner-centered approaches, and leveraging technology to transform higher education.