The Role of Universities in the Social Enterprise Ecosystem

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Entrepreneurship Development, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Technological Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Organizational Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

With the growing importance of social businesses in addressing complex social and environmental challenges, understanding and strengthening their supporting ecosystems has become a strategic necessity. These ventures require a supportive environment where universities are recognized as key actors. However, current understanding of universities’ multifaceted and strategic roles in social ecosystems remains fragmented. While most research focuses on their economic role within technological ecosystems, there is a research gap in comprehensively explaining universities’ roles in social business ecosystems. This study, through a qualitative approach and systematic literature review, proposes a multifaceted conceptual model integrating Institutional Theory to understand ecosystem rules and context, and the Quintuple Helix Model to identify key actors. Validated by expert panels, findings reveal universities play roles beyond simple membership by contributing to ecosystem architecture and coordination through five intertwined functions: human and entrepreneurial capital production by nurturing socially conscious entrepreneurs, knowledge creation and transfer focusing on social innovation and its commercialization, providing infrastructure and innovative support such as specialized spaces and laboratories, shaping discourse and policymaking by leveraging academic credibility to influence regulations and build legitimacy, and networking and catalytic roles connecting government, industry, civil society, and other actors. This integrated model offers a novel analytical tool for policymakers and university leaders to harness higher education institutions’ capacities to accelerate sustainable development.

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