Developing the Indicators for Assessing Entrepreneurship in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences

In recent years, the issue of entrepreneurship and innovation within Iran's health system has received significant attention. Therefore, this study aims to explain the indicators for measuring the development of entrepreneurship within the framework of Iranian universities of medical sciences.

Indicators for measuring entrepreneurship development were desined using a literature review, semi-structured interviews, expert panel, and the Delphi technique. The participants in this study included 24 experts and senior managers from Iran's health system and universities of medical sciences in the field of entrepreneurship in the health system, as well as, experts from other sectors, including university faculties of the Ministry of Science and Research. Experts were selected from various departments based on the specific criteria through and purposeful sampling. Thematic analysis method was used manually to analyze the data.

The systematic literature review examined 13 studies, identifying 82 entrepreneurship indicators. This study, through a systematic review and expert opinion, finally identified 50 entrepreneurship indicators in six main areas: infrastructure and entrepreneurship development capacities (13 indicators), research (11 indicators), education (7 indicators), management and structure (2 indicators), investment and foundation in academic entrepreneurship (8 indicators) and productivity and outcome of academic entrepreneurship (9 indicators).

This study developed specific indicators for measuring entrepreneurship in universities of medical sciences, which can be utilized for assessment and planning to improve the state of entrepreneurship in these institutions.