Ding, Weijia; (2025) A study of emerging entrepreneurial universities in China, the case of Shenzhen. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

In the global knowledge economy, universities are increasingly recognized as key drivers of innovation and economic growth, extending beyond their traditional roles in teaching and research. This thesis examines the rise of entrepreneurial universities in Shenzhen, China, focusing on their role in the city's innovation-driven development strategy. Shenzhen’s rapid transformation into a global innovation hub, fueled by government policies and industry collaboration, offers a unique context for understanding the emergence of entrepreneurial universities. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis—based on first-hand surveys and secondary data—with qualitative research, including interviews and case studies. It identifies key factors that characterise the emergence of entrepreneurial universities in Shenzhen. It also analyses institutional differences in entrepreneurial activities, definitions of entrepreneurial success, and responses to external challenges. The findings reveal how internal and external factors—such as policy incentives, market alignment, and research-to-industry transfer—shape entrepreneurial patterns and strategies within universities. Case studies of three representative universities highlight significant differences in their strategies for fostering entrepreneurship and building innovation ecosystems. The study also addresses evolving dynamics and new challenges in the post-pandemic innovation landscape. This research enriches the current discourse on entrepreneurial universities by empirically demonstrating how institutional strategies and external environments interact in emerging markets. It critically examines the applicability of existing theoretical models in such contexts and expands them by incorporating context- specific factors and the dynamic interactions among actors within innovation ecosystems. The findings from Shenzhen offer practical insights for policymakers and universities aiming to leverage institutional and policy support alongside industry collaboration to foster entrepreneurial transformation. This perspective is particularly valuable for other developing regions, offering a framework that can be adapted to similar contexts facing innovation-driven growth challenges.

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