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The Transformative Role of Universities: Determinants, Impacts, and Challenges

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Entrepreneurial and Innovative Practices in Public Institutions

Part of the book series: Applying Quality of Life Research ((BEPR))

Abstract

Traditionally, the core activity of universities has been universally recognized as teaching but universities have undergone internal transformations in order to adapt to external conditions and to legitimize their role in the society. Nowadays, the role of the university is considerably broader than simply to generate graduates, knowledge, and technology transfer. It is more fundamental to ensure that people thrive (creating entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, and action) and in the long term contribute into the key production factors associated to social and economic development. The main objective of this chapter is to provide a better understanding of the main determinants, impacts, and challenges behind the transformative role of universities to become more innovative and entrepreneurial.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For instance, in North American universities:

    1. (i)

      Addressing the Unprecedented Challenges Facing U.S. Research Universities Today.

    2. (ii)

      College Majors, Unemployment, and Earnings.

    3. (iii)

      A new university funding model: Not bums in seats, but students who graduate.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the feedback and comments of editors and reviewers that have helped shape this paper. Maribel Guerrero recognizes the support of Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). David Urbano acknowledges the financial support from projects ECO2013-44027-P (Spanish Ministry of Economy & Competitiveness) and 2014-SGR-1626 (Economy & Knowledge Department –Catalan Government–).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Strategy, Deusto Business School, Mundaiz 50, Donostia, 20012, Guipozkoa, Spain

    Maribel Guerrero

  2. Department of Business, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Building B, Bellaterra, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Spain

    David Urbano

Authors
  1. Maribel Guerrero
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  2. David Urbano
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Correspondence to Maribel Guerrero .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    João Leitão

  2. Department of Management and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Helena Alves

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Guerrero, M., Urbano, D. (2016). The Transformative Role of Universities: Determinants, Impacts, and Challenges. In: Leitão, J., Alves, H. (eds) Entrepreneurial and Innovative Practices in Public Institutions. Applying Quality of Life Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32091-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32091-5_1

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