El papel de las instituciones de educación superior mexicanas como impulsoras de la actividad innovadora y emprendedora

Abstract

Previous studies in the field have provided insight into internal and external determinants as well as the impact associated with the entrepreneurial evolution of universities in developed economies (United States, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, among others). Within this perspective, universities play a relevant role in the generation of human capital (graduates, alumni), knowledge capital (exploitation, exploration, transfer and commercialization) and entrepreneurship capital (graduates, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and academic entrepreneurs). However, research about the role of universities in developing and emerging economies is limited. It is a relevant research gap in the context in which universities are associated with government programs to foster innovation and/or entrepreneurship as part of a national development strategy. Another relevant gap observed in the literature review is the notion that entrepreneurship ecosystems and innovation systems are completely distinct and separate. Interestingly, if a triple- or quadruple-helix perspective is adopted, both systems have strong similitudes and share the same agents, such as government, university and industry. Under this assumption, universities could be considered a bridge between both systems, which could then contribute to the development of entrepreneurial and innovation activities. Based on these arguments, the main purpose of this research is to provide a better understanding of the role of universities as drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship activities in emerging economies. Based on previous studies, this thesis adopted theoretical bases from several research lines (National Innovation Systems, entrepreneurial ecosystems, triple-helix, open innovation, enterprise-university partnerships, R&D subsidies, technology-based entrepreneurs, nascent entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial universities) and methodological approaches (mixed methods: qualitative and quantitative). Given the nature of this phenomenon, this thesis focuses on the Mexican context because it is an emerging economy that during the past three Mexican administrations has tried to transition from an efficiency economy toward an innovation-based economy; as a consequence, those administrations have implemented several strategies to reinforce innovation and entrepreneurship. The results of each specific objective show four interesting patterns. First, the involvement of Mexican higher education organizations in innovation and entrepreneurship systems reflects a lower participation and lower use of their resources/capabilities to transform themselves into more innovative and entrepreneurial organizations. Second, the role of Mexican universities’ innovation activities was evidenced by the analysis of university–enterprise partnerships in the development of radical/incremental innovations as well as access to R&D subsidy programs. Third, the analysis of the role of universities in entrepreneurial activities showed interesting trends regarding technology-based nascent entrepreneurs (with and without higher education), and environmental conditions associated with innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems were evidenced. Interestingly, the moderation effect of higher education reinforces the systems and the organizational nexus over technology-based nascent entrepreneurs. Fourth, a multiple case study provided insights into the influence of universities on enterprises’ innovation outcomes; specifically, opportunistic/collaborative behaviors behind compulsory Mexican university–enterprise partnerships to access R&D subsidies. This thesis has several limitations and several unanswered or unexplored questions that are interesting directions for future research oriented to extending theoretical/methodological approaches. Several implications for policy makers, university managers and enterprise managers also emerge from this research.