Role of Organizational Structure in University Entrepreneurship A Case Study of Iranian Higher Education

Abstract

One of the most important and new issues in the field of higher education is university entrepreneurship. Organizational structure can play an important role in this regard. The aim of this article was to study the role of organizational structure in university entrepreneurship in Iranian public universities. Research method was qualitative based on grounded theory. Data was collected through a semi structured interview which was conducted on a purposive sample of entrepreneurship experts. In total, 36 interviews were carried out in October and March 2012. They were selected through theoretical sampling, and Snow Ball and Theoretical Saturation. Analyzing method included open, axial and selective coding techniques. Results showed that university entrepreneurship requires entrepreneurial structure with entrepreneurial traits, for example, university total orientation toward entrepreneurship, agility, enriched roles, autonomy and flexibility. These are structural requirements for an entrepreneurial university. Moreover, structural mechanisms which are necessary for university entrepreneurship include managerial, legal and communication mechanisms.

Keywords: university, entrepreneurship, organization structure, autonomy.