Hybrid Identity Work Strategies of Academic Entrepreneurs: Connection Building and Difference Building

The case study examines the identity work of academics who have moved to or are considering a work position in a university spin-off company. The main findings outline two strategies of hybrid identity work and related boundary work tactics through which academics build connections and mark differences between science and business. Connection-building strategy highlights commonalities and shared elements between science and business, while the difference-building strategy emphasizes distinctions and separations between them. The analysis is supported by evidence from longitudinal interviews with academics in Finland actively involved in science-based businesses or contemplating such involvement. The main findings show that these strategies were used by both groups in different sensemaking situations. However, those working full-time in a university spin-off company often adopted the connection-building strategy to legitimize their career shift from academia to industry. Conversely, those considering a future position in a university spin-off often relied on the difference-building strategy to problematize and justify their hesitation in accepting such a position.