The state of entrepreneurialism in a public university in Ethiopia: Status, challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Over the past few decades the entrepreneurial university model has emerged as mechanism of maintaining balance with the increasingly shifting HE environment. Against this background the study assessed the state of entrepreneurialism in a public university in Ethiopia (i.e., Addis Ababa University) by using Clark's seminal work on entrepreneurial university (Clark, 1998), as analytical framework. The study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data was collected through one to one interview, focus group discussion, documents analysis and site visit. A total of 44 participants with distinct characteristic (i.e., ministers, city mayor, vice presidents; Directors, deans, department heads, academic staff and students) took part in the study. The data was analyzed thematically using directed content analysis. Findings of the study showed that the university has a weak self steering capacity (as its autonomy and managerial capacity are compromised); moderately stimulated academic heartland; weak development periphery; strong diversified funding base and infant entrepreneurial culture. Moreover, the entrepreneurial elements were found to be loosely coupled with each other. Additionally, the study uncovered a number of impediments (excessive procedures; low compensation; lack of 'real' space for bottom up initiatives; lack of incentive, lack of financial and technical support for innovative ideas; poor financial recording and management system) inhibiting entrepreneurial behavior within the institution. Lastly, a suggestion was made towards the aforementioned barriers