Factors Influencing Academic Entrepreneurship in Agricultural Higher Education

This survey research was conducted to analyze and prioritize a set of driving and restraining factors influencing academic entrepreneurship. A researcher-made questionnaire was developed with two main parts, consisting of driving and restraining factors. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was established using a panel of agricultural faculty members who were experienced in academic entrepreneurship. A pilot test was conducted to determine questionnaire reliability based on Cranach’s alpha calculation (calculated for two parts α =.71 and α =.76, respectively). The statistical population consisted of faculty members of public agricultural faculties under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Scientific, Research and Technology (N=2030). Using Cochran’s sampling formula and multi-stage sampling method, 145 faculty members were selected to fill the questionnaire up. Using SPSS, collected data were processed on the basis of explanatory factor analysis. Factor analysis of driving factors, extracted six components. The first factor, professional approach to academic entrepreneurship, explained 17.32%, the second factor, institutional development for academic entrepreneurship, explained 13.650%, the third factor, provision of supportive services for academic entrepreneurship, explained 10.00%, the fourth factor, promotion of entrepreneurial culture, explained 9.50%, the fifth factor, teamworking in academic entrepreneurship, explained 7.54% and the last one, regional capacities of academic entrepreneurship, explained 6.46% of the total variances (64.50%) of drivers. Also, theexplanatory factor analysis of restrainers extracted five factors called non-institutionalization of the academic entrepreneurship in university management strategy, none-entrepreneurial approach to career development, lack of support for academic entrepreneurship, lack of utilization of entrepreneurial opportunities in agricultural sector and deficiency of resources and infrastructures for research and technology development. These factors, totally, explained 55.61% of the variances of restrainers.