Abstract:

Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL) is an emerging concept in higher education and is often seen as an important force behind innovation, organisational change, and academic entrepreneurship. EL is still developing as a research concept, and many studies note that it can overlap with other leadership approaches such as transformational leadership. Clearer and more context-specific frameworks for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are therefore needed. This systematic literature review synthesises 32 empirical studies published between 1998 and 2024 to explain how EL is defined, measured, and studied within HEIs. The review uses a multi-level framework and highlights major dimensions of EL, as well as the main drivers, outcomes, and barriers discussed in the literature. It also maps the most common theories and research methods used across studies. The evidence base is dominated by quantitative, cross-sectional research, with many studies located in Europe and Asia and fewer studies from other regions. In practice, EL in universities appears closely linked to the broader idea of the entrepreneurial university, where institutions aim to shift their organisational character to build a stronger future position. The review also points to key barriers, including resistance from academic communities and limits in resources and capacity. Building on these findings, the review proposes a future research agenda that prioritises longitudinal designs, cross-cultural comparisons, and ecosystem-level perspectives to better explain how EL develops over time and how it connects with external partners and systems.

Please choose your submission type: Developmental Paper

Primary Track: Entrepreneurship

Keywords: International entrepreneurship

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Ms. Sabita Pathak