Evaluating the Role of Academic Libraries in the Development of the Technological Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Keywords:
Technological entrepreneurship ecosystem,, academic libraries, open innovation, triple helix model, knowledge management, digital technologyAbstract
The study aims to analyze the roles, capacities, and challenges of academic libraries in supporting and developing technological entrepreneurship ecosystems. A qualitative design and systematic review approach were adopted. Systematic searches were conducted in international and domestic databases covering 2018–2025. A total of 452 documents were identified and reduced to 431 after removing duplicates. Initial screening excluded non-academic and irrelevant sources, resulting in 145 documents. Full texts were assessed using the CASP checklist, and sources scoring below 30 were removed. Finally, 78 high-quality sources were selected for thematic analysis. Data analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework. A total of 335 initial codes were extracted and refined into four main themes and fourteen sub-themes using MAXQDA software. The analysis revealed four inferential dimensions: theoretical models and characteristics of technological entrepreneurship ecosystems; the role of academic libraries as knowledge and innovation intermediaries; challenges hindering library integration into entrepreneurship ecosystems; and emerging opportunities for strengthening their role. Findings indicate that libraries are shifting from traditional information-support units to innovation hubs contributing to knowledge flow, commercialization processes, and network facilitation. Major challenges include financial and infrastructural limitations, digital skill gaps, and policy shortcomings. Opportunities include digital transformation, AI-driven services, international collaborations, and alignment with sustainable development goals. The study concludes that academic libraries possess significant potential to evolve into strategic actors within technological entrepreneurship ecosystems. With structural transformation, enhanced digital capacity, and supportive policies, libraries can play a central role in knowledge management, open innovation, and university–industry–government interactions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Fatemeh Saghafi; Abolghasem Arabiun, Amir Hossein Taherzadeh (Author)
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