Article: University incubators and entrepreneurial universities: a case study of the process of setting up a university incubator in a developing country Journal: International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM) 2024 Vol.95 No.3/4 pp.434 - 455 Abstract: Universities can play a role in promoting frugal innovation by encouraging the valorisation and transfer of research to the socio-economic world as well as the development of skills related to the employability of students. Specifically, through the practices it promotes, an entrepreneurial university can encourage innovations that will benefit vulnerable communities and act in response to their challenges. In a context of weak financial support from public authorities, the University of Abomey-Calavi set up a project to promote entrepreneurship that advances frugal innovation. The present study bases its approach on identifying the actors and factors that favoured the development of its incubation program, five years after its implementation. The same applies to the identification of the frugal innovation practices that it puts in place. The results show, among other things, that the university created a specific organisational framework, with a relatively long incubation period, and mobilising resources from local stakeholders. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: University incubators and entrepreneurial universities: a case study of the process of setting up a university incubator in a developing country

Authors: Ulvick Houssou; Klaus-Peter Schulz; Mahamadou Biga-Diambeidou; Serge Abihona

Addresses: ICN Business School, CEREFIGE, University of Lorraine, France ' ICN Business School, CEREFIGE, University of Lorraine, 86 Rue Sergent Blandan, 54000 Nancy, France ' ICN Business School, CEREFIGE, 86 Rue Sergent Blandan, 54000 Nancy, France; Louvain Research Institute in Management and Organizations (LouRIM), UCLouvain, Belguim ' Foundation of the University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Agamandin, Lot No. 1 House MAMA, Benin

Abstract: Universities can play a role in promoting frugal innovation by encouraging the valorisation and transfer of research to the socio-economic world as well as the development of skills related to the employability of students. Specifically, through the practices it promotes, an entrepreneurial university can encourage innovations that will benefit vulnerable communities and act in response to their challenges. In a context of weak financial support from public authorities, the University of Abomey-Calavi set up a project to promote entrepreneurship that advances frugal innovation. The present study bases its approach on identifying the actors and factors that favoured the development of its incubation program, five years after its implementation. The same applies to the identification of the frugal innovation practices that it puts in place. The results show, among other things, that the university created a specific organisational framework, with a relatively long incubation period, and mobilising resources from local stakeholders.

Keywords: entrepreneurial university; University of Abomey-Calavi; university incubator; frugal innovation; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2024.138802

International Journal of Technology Management, 2024 Vol.95 No.3/4, pp.434 - 455

Received: 31 May 2022
Accepted: 16 Jan 2023
Published online: 31 May 2024 *

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Title: University incubators and entrepreneurial universities: a case study of the process of setting up a university incubator in a developing country

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