Factors influencing academic entrepreneurship: a case-based study

Purpose This paper aims to identify factors that influence the outcomes of academic entrepreneurship at the University of Tehran. Design/methodology/approach The research questionnaires were randomly distributed, and 95 individuals, including professors and experts in the field of academic entrepreneurship at the University, answered the questions. The population was estimated to include 150 subjects; 100 questionnaires were distributed totally; and 95 questionnaires were finally collected. Findings The results obtained from the data analysis indicate that institutions (formal and informal) and organizational factors (resources and capabilities) have a significant impact on the success of academic entrepreneurship. In addition, the results from an effect size analysis revealed that capabilities and informal resources have the strongest impact on the academic entrepreneurship outcomes. Limitations and directions for future research are provided at the end of the study. Originality/value It is a pioneering work that identifies the factors that influence academic entrepreneurship outcomes at the University of Tehran in a specific context such as Iran. Guerrero and Urbano's (2012) entrepreneurial university model, which is built on the theory of institutional economy (North, 1990) and the resource-based view (Barney, 1991), has been adapted as the theoretical framework.