Resumo

Universities’ relation to entrepreneurship has become increasingly stronger over time. So much so, that these institutions play the role of serving as a hub for connecting ideas and promoting innovation. In this sense, academic entrepreneurship has become a phenomenon of both research and market interest. With this in mind, our research takes interest in the entrepreneurial activity pertaining to the sphere of universities. Results are not homogenous across different scenarios, thus indicating that our understanding of the entrepreneurial environment can be improved.

Our research takes interest in the entrepreneurial activity pertaining to the sphere of universities. Particularly, we explore the moderating effect exerted by the university environment on the relationship between student’s entrepreneurial characteristics and entrepreneurial intention. The questioning we put forward in this paper goes through a discussion about the relation between entrepreneurship and universities. Moreover, we analyze if the environment established by universities does influence students to become entrepreneurs and whether this moderation is positive or negative.

A change in perspective took place after the introduction of the concept of the entrepreneurial university, which is an institution capable of undertaking both structural and cultural changes, and strengthening its relations with society and the economy. The literature supports the positive effect of the university on the entrepreneurial intention of students. However, entrepreneurial behavior varies according to the individual's perception of the environment. Thus, the questioning of whether the university environment matters to entrepreneurship is open for investigation.

The research was developed through quantitative methodology, with the use of multivariate data analysis. We opted for the use of Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model developed for research presents reflective and formative indicators, as well as second order construct. Our research utilized a secondary data source. The sample is composed of 1,012 observations with Business Administration undergraduate students from seven Brazilian universities across the country’s five macro-regions.

The results validated the measurement model and the structural model, confirming the influence of the second-order construct entrepreneurial characteristics on entrepreneurial intention, and also confirming the moderating effect of the university environment in this relationship. However, the effect of this moderation is negative, thus indicating the more the student realizes that the environment improves his skills, the less he intends to become an entrepreneur.

Results point to a negative influence of the university environment on the relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and student’s entrepreneurial intention. Thus, we infer that the greater the university’s support in developing student entrepreneurship, the lesser is students’ intention to become entrepreneurs. The context of Brazilian universities might be a determinant factor. Although universities can implement strategies to foster entrepreneurial behavior there can be obstacles hindering positive results, especially in the context of public universities.

Campos, M.L., Moraes, G.H.S.M., & Spatti, A.C. (2021). Do University Ecosystems Impact Student's Entrepreneurial Behavior? Brazilian Administration Review, 18(2), 1-29. Fischer, B.B., Moraes, G.H.S.M., & Schaeffer, P.R. (2019). Universities' institutional settings and academic entrepreneurship: Notes from a developing country. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 147, 243-252. Guerrero, M., Liñán, F., & Cáceres-Carrasco, F.R. (2020). The influence of ecosystems on the entrepreneurship process: a comparison across developed and developing economies. Small Business Economics.