A Balancing Act: Factors behind the Formation of Academic Entrepreneurship

This article asks a twofold question: how and to what extent policy tools such as patent legislations, technology transfer offices, and the third task influence scientists to become entrepreneurial, and how do scientists’ perceptions influence their responses to such policy instruments? It pursues a novel approach by positioning scientists in the triple helix model as well as discussing new theoretical insights in the establishment of entrepreneurial activities at a large public research university in Scandinavia. It focuses on individual differences and provides critical insights into alleged impacts of public policy tools in achieving the goals of academic entrepreneurship.