Development of Entrepreneurial Culture in the Context of University Transformation: A Case Study of ITMO University

Abstract

The aim of this work is to assess the degree of integration of entrepreneurial culture (EC) into the university environment in the context of the transformation of an entrepreneurial university and the formation of innovative ecosystems in Russian universities. In the course of the study, along with general scientific methods, the sociological method of questioning, factor analysis, and statistical methods were used to analyze the entrepreneurial culture in the university ecosystem and identify Factors influencing the entrepreneurial activity of respondents. Based on the analysis of existing work, a survey of 170 students and 132 employees (researchers, teachers, heads of departments) of ITMO University was developed and conducted in 2024, which made it possible to identify the manifestations and assess the degree of EC integration into the ecosystem. The level of interest in entrepreneurship activity (EA) is high (70% of students and 62,12% of staff have experience or are interested in EA), however, a paradox has been identified related to students’ willingness to EA with a lack of understanding of key success factors (innovation, management quality, consulting support). This may indicate that the university’s EC is not mature enough. A gap has been identified between the transition from the intention of employees and students to EA to action (41% of students and 24% of employees do not take steps to implement startups). Despite the presence of a well-developed innovation infrastructure in ITMO, the majority of students interested in entrepreneurship (56.6%) and some employees (13%) do not use it. Significant differences in motivation for EA and activity between students and staff have been identified, for example, students are more willing to take risks, and employees with more knowledge and experience are much more cautious. The analysis of the university ecosystem according to B. Clark’s model, using the logic of the EC tetrahedron model, made it possible to identify key gaps and bottlenecks in the development of the university ECs and propose mechanisms to promote the development of ECs in higher education institutions using the example of ITMO University. The following mechanisms are proposed: a mechanism for reducing resource barriers, a mechanism for reducing barriers to lack of knowledge, a mechanism for minimizing operational and administrative transaction costs, a mechanism for stimulating, motivating and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, a mechanism for legitimizing risk and psychological support for EA. The results obtained can be used for the development of EC in universities.