Organizational culture factors impacting the creation of university spin-offs. A case study in a Colombian public university

Abstract

This study aims to identify the organizational culture factors that impact the creation of university spin-offs, through a case study in a Colombian public university by using a mixed methodology. A theoretical model was built relating the organizational culture with spin-offs. Through this model traits of the base culture were identified based on a survey administered to 155 researchers as well as on an analysis of 18 institutional documents. Subsequently, through interviews with 15 experts, the ideal organizational culture to promote spin-offs was defined. The results show three traits of academic culture which are not addressed in previous literature and which are decisive for the emergence of spin-offs, namely, universality, trust and interdisciplinarity, being the fear of risk-taking the main inhibitor.