Academic entrepreneurship and traditional academic duties: synergy or rivalry?

This study investigates the influence of academic entrepreneurship on traditional academic duties carried out in a resource-constrained environment, particularly focusing on whether there is synergy or rivalry between these two activities. Using qualitative evidence, we discover that there are funding, resource, knowledge and skill and networking synergies between academic entrepreneurship and traditional academic duties. These synergies are found to be extremely important in overcoming resource barriers to conduct teaching and research. Academic entrepreneurs manage their engagement in multiple activities through symbiotic relationships with other academics. While academic entrepreneurs are the initiators who secure entrepreneurial opportunities, other academics support them as they capitalise on these opportunities. The importance of encouraging academic entrepreneurship as a strategy to overcome resource barriers to traditional academic duties is emphasised. Implications and future research avenues are highlighted. © 2015 Society for Research into Higher Education