Abstract

This chapter examines the concept of the entrepreneurial university through a critical review of the academic literature published in the past two decades. By analyzing highly cited articles from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database, the chapter identifies prominent themes and perspectives within this evolving field. The chapter explores the core characteristics of the entrepreneurial university model, highlighting its emphasis on innovation, collaboration with industry, and the commercialization of research. It also acknowledges the tensions inherent in this model, such as potential conflicts between academic and commercial goals. The review draws upon a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating insights from business and management studies, higher education research, and critical management theory. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial university phenomenon, encompassing its economic, social, and organizational dimensions. The chapter concludes by identifying key areas for future research, including the growing importance of entrepreneurial ecosystems, the need for universities to embrace sustainability, and the potential of a quadruple helix model that incorporates societal participation alongside the traditional university-industry-government collaboration.