Universidades empreendedoras: estudo comparativo entre UNIFEI e UMinho

Abstract

Growing interaction among universities, the productive sector, and government has expanded the role of academic entrepreneurship and reinforced the need to understand which institutional conditions sustain innovation and the creation of social and economic value. This dissertation identifies and systematizes these conditions through an applied, exploratory, qualitative study based on a comparative case study of UNIFEI and the University of Minho (UMinho). The literature review was structured with reference to PRISMA 2020 (without constituting a full systematic literature review), drawing on searches in Scopus, Web of Science, BDTD, and ENEGEP; the evidence was synthesized through clustering into six dimensions: Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Teaching and Education; Research and Development; Infrastructure and Resources; Management and Strategic Partnerships; and Reputation and Academic Recognition. These dimensions were then contrasted with empirical evidence using document analysis and institutional sources, as well as a questionnaire administered to the INCIT team. The results show that both universities integrate knowledge with social and economic application, but through different arrangements: UNIFEI stands out for its regional and technological embeddedness (PCTI/INCIT), while UMinho shows stronger institutional consolidation, with integrated technology transfer policies, international networks, and partnerships such as Bosch–UMinho, supported by TecMinho and SpinUM. Finally, the dissertation offers an analytical synthesis of the conditions that can strengthen academic entrepreneurship in different contexts.