Resumen

ISMAIL, Riyaad et al. Student Entrepreneurship Support at South African Public Universities: An Ecosystem Perspective. SABR [online]. 2024, vol.28, pp.1-24. ISSN 1998-8125.  https://doi.org/10.25159/1998-8125/15298.

PURPOSE: It is widely agreed that student entrepreneurship can play a vital role in changing the economic landscape of developing countries. However, the effectiveness of university-based student entrepreneurship support (SES) has been questioned. Our study aimed to gain greater insights into SES in a developing country context by taking an ecosystem perspective on SES offered at South African public universities METHODOLOGY: A multiple case study strategy was adopted, and data was collected through online semi-structured interviews. Fourteen key informants, holding various positions at eight South African universities, were carefully selected to participate in the study FINDINGS: Several types of SES are commonly aimed at developing entrepreneurs, promoting entrepreneurship as a career, and establishing job-creating businesses. To increase the effectiveness of this support, creative spaces, business advice from experts, top management buy-in and funding were regarded as very essential to enhance the interaction and collaboration between different elements in the ecosystem PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: As creating a conducive environment for student entrepreneurs cannot occur in isolation, universities' top management buy-in and financial backing are recommended to establish and offer a broad range of support internally and through external collaborations Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited research on SES and responds to several calls to research elements within university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems in a developing country context.

Palabras clave : student entrepreneurship support; ecosystems; university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems.

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