Academic entrepreneurs: Motivational aspects, challenges and success criteria in technology development zones in Ankara

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Bilim ve Teknoloji Politikası Çalışmaları Anabilim Dalı, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2018

Tezin Dili: İngilizce

Öğrenci: ENVER HAKAN KONAÇ

Danışman: Mehmet Teoman Pamukcu

Özet:

Based on replies received to an online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews with academic entrepreneurs (AEs) active on a number of university-based technology development zones in Ankara, (i) motivational aspects of academics in starting their own businesses, (ii) the challenges they subsequently face in their business environment, and (iii) their success criteria as perceived by them were assessed. In light of the information generated by the questionnaire and interviews, the validity of six propositions was explored: (i) whether AEs would tend to have a hybrid persona mixing pecuniary and nonpecuniary values but placing more weight on non-pecuniary values (P1); (ii) whether the ultimate purpose of AEs differs from their non-academic counterparts in the sense that creating societal benefit is more important for them than profit-oriented business (P2); (iii) whether AEs are successful in building up sound business/industry networks after engaging in entrepreneurial activities (P3); (iv) whether developing products for a niche market enabled the AEs to reach their commercialization goals (P4); (v) whether the entrepreneurial activities of AEs cause a decline in their academic performances (P5), and finally (vi) whether the innovative ideas of AEs originate primarily from their academic activities and knowledge (P6). P1, P3 and P4 were supported by the findings, whereas P2, P5 and P6 were not supported. Finally, policies for the government, industry actors and universities were recommended.