Call for Papers - Special Issue 2024
DIGITAL AND SUSTAINABLE ACADEMIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor in Chief
Priscila Rezende da Costa, University Nove de Julho, Brazil
Coeditor
Isabel Cristina Scafuto, University Nove de Julho, Brazil
Cientific Editor
Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif, University Nove de Julho, Brazil
Assistant Editor
Angélica Pigola, University Nove de Julho, Brazil
Associate Editor
Eliane Martins de Paiva, Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil
Camila Naves Arantes, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Brazil
Luísa Margarida Cagica Carvalho, Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Portugal
Breno Nunes, Aston University, United Kingdom
Henrique Barros, Dublin City University, Ireland
Marcos Ferasso, Autonomous University of Lisbon, Portugal
SPECIAL ISSUE PROPOSAL
In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable acceleration of digital transformation driven by the emergence of digital technologies, platforms and technological infrastructure (Nambisan, 2017; Nambisan et al., 2017; Yoo et al., 2010), which have significantly reshaped the entrepreneurial scene globally. Such transformation contributed to the emergence of a new entrepreneurial paradigm (Nambisan, 2017, Nambisan et al., 2017) called digital academic entrepreneurship (Rippa & Secundo. 2019).
Digital academic entrepreneurship arises from the intersection between two fields already consolidated in the literature (Secundo et al., 2020) – traditional academic entrepreneurship and new digital technologies (social media, mobile devices, analytics, 3D printing, cloud solutions and platforms, digital technologies and platforms, MOOCs, and Fab Labs) (Nambisan, 2017; Rippa & Secundo, 2019). These technologies modify the nature of business processes and outcomes, introducing new organizational forms and business models. They fostered new forms of entrepreneurial actions beyond the traditional boundaries of industries, accelerating the evolution of new ventures (Nambisan 2017; Rippa e& Secundo, 2019). Therefore, they change the conventional modes of academic entrepreneurship (Rippa & Secundo, 2019).
The debate on academic digital entrepreneurship is a recent topic (Garcez et al., 2022; Linzalone et al., 2020) that has received increasing attention and importance among practitioners and researchers. Although the two central themes—academic entrepreneurship and digital technologies—have already been widely investigated, the discussion about the intersection between them is still fragmented (Secundo et al., 2020), offering new perspectives for innovative research.
In this context, universities, as knowledge and technology transfer agents, act to promote digitization and innovation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and society (Toniolo et al., 2020). Recently, the university's basic teaching and research activities have evolved into the so-called third mission establishing a linkage among universities and external actors. It covers three dimensions: technology transfer and innovation, continuing education and social engagement (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000; Laredo, 2007; Rippa & Secundo, 2019). As a result, universities engaged in the third mission constitute an engine for the creation of activities that deliver socioeconomic benefits to their ecosystems (Compagnucci et al., 2020; Siegel & Wright, 2015).
IJI understands that digital academic entrepreneurship must be rethought and built as a fundamental pillar to ensure that its impact is lasting and positive in the long term. In addition, it collaborates to face urgent global challenges. Furthermore, by incorporating a sustainability perspective as a fundamental dimension for sustainable digital academic entrepreneurship, innovative solutions using digital technologies must be developed to overcome environmental, social and economic issues promoting sustainability awareness in business practices. These solutions not only drive scientific progress but also have the power to transform entire industries to improve people's quality of life. This responsible approach aims to strike a balance between economic progress, environmental preservation and social well-being, laying the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future for present and future generations.
IJI intends to dive into digital and sustainable academic entrepreneurship to understand the relevance and implications of digital technologies in the various forms of academic entrepreneurship. Recognizing the level of complexity because of the high fragmentation of research (Secundo et al., 2020), IJI explores this research field to understand the phenomenon from different perspectives and, in great enthusiasm, invites everyone to contribute to this special issue. Using Rippa & Secundo's (2019) model, we suggest topics of interest that include but are not limited to the following:
- Digital technologies for sustainable digital academic entrepreneurship – digital technologies can lead to a transformation of the traditional motivation behind digital academic entrepreneurship (Rippa & Secundo, 2019). This transformation adds to economic value (resulting from the commercialization of knowledge generated by university research and knowledge transfer) and new values from socioenvironmental principles (Adegbile et al., 2021; Rippa & Secundo, 2019). Digital technologies also offer opportunities to democratize knowledge, connect researchers and facilitate knowledge sharing on a global scale. In addition, they offer resources for the interaction and exchange of ideas among universities and businesses worldwide encouraged by collaboration (Dell'Atti et al., 2023; Garcez et al., 2021; Rippa & Secundo, 2019; Secundo et al., 2020).
- Stakeholders involved in sustainable digital academic entrepreneurship - The adoption of new digital technologies allows the participation of new stakeholders in academic research on entrepreneurship. It favors intelligent learning ecosystem formation and maintenance and is considered the most appropriate space to encourage creativity and entrepreneurial opportunities for university students (Rippa & Secundo, 2019). The more actors become involved, the more entrepreneurial initiatives will evolve.
- Forms of digital and sustainable academic entrepreneurship – Universities play a multifaceted role going beyond educational and research activities. By providing the necessary expertise, universities establish new forms of digital and sustainable academic entrepreneurship (Oppong et al., 2020). Therefore, it is critical to understand these emerging forms of entrepreneurship, such as enterprises focused on technology transfer supported by digital technologies, digital entrepreneurship education programs, digital spinoffs, alumni start-ups, and experimental laboratories that emphasize environmental, social and economic impacts (Rippa & Secundo, 2019; Secundo et al., 2020).
- Processes for sustainable digital academic entrepreneurship supported by digital technologies – Digital technology adoption generates new processes for sustainable digital academic entrepreneurship that comprise virtual learning, social media environments, 3D virtual labs, fablabs and digital accelerators.
IJI encourages submissions of empirical research, case studies, systematic reviews, theoretical essays and practical contributions. Our goal is to create a body of knowledge that inspires and informs entrepreneurs, academics and policy makers about the opportunities and challenges of digital and sustainable academic entrepreneurship. Together, we can support the advancement of digital and sustainable academic entrepreneurship, contributing to building a prosperous and sustainable future.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Call for Papers: July 1, 2023
- Submission deadline: February 29, 2024
- Special edition publication forecast: July 31, 2024
GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Acceptable Papers: Empirical Research, Perspectives, Technological Articles and Theoretical Reviews.
Guidelines for Paper Preparation
REFERENCES
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Compagnucci, L., & Spigarelli, F. (2020). The Third Mission of the university: A systematic literature review on potentials and constraints. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161, 120284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120284
Dell’Atti, V., Russo, G., Dicuonzo, G. & Palmaccio, M.(2023). Digital academic entrepreneurship: knowledge and public value from an Italian case study. Knowledge Management Research & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/14778238.2023.2174909
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Secundo, G., Rippa, P., & Cerchione, R. (2020). Digital Academic Entrepreneurship: A structured literature review and avenue for a research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 157, 20118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120118
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Toniolo, K., Masiero, E., Massaro, M., & Bagnoli, C. (2020). A grounded theory study for digital academic entrepreneurship. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(7), 1567-1587. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-06-2019-0402
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