The entrepreneurial university as an agent of social transformation and leadership in innovation

Abstract

The entrepreneurial university has become an institutional model that extends the traditional functions of higher education by actively addressing issues such as innovation, knowledge creation, and social transformation. This work critiques the nature of the entrepreneurial university and its contribution to territorial development and the creation of innovation ecosystems, highlighting the capacity of Higher Education Institutions to integrate academic training, research, and community engagement. Through a critical-reflective literature review, it demonstrates that the entrepreneurial university is a key agent for achieving social change, facilitating knowledge transfer, and producing professionals with the skills to address complexity. The study concludes that strengthening the university’s third mission requires institutional leadership, pedagogical innovation, and an entrepreneurial culture that fosters creativity, resilience, and the sustainable social value creation.