"University entrepreneurship ecosystems that foster faculty engagement and entrepreneurial leadership: evidence from Bolivia"

Abstract

"Introduction – The concept of the entrepreneurial university has evolved significantly, positioning faculty members as key actors. The objective of this study was to explain the relationship between the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem and faculty commitment to supporting entrepreneurial activity, considering the role of entrepreneurial leadership and innovative culture in universities in southern Bolivia. Methods – Through quantitative research using PLS-SEM structural equation modeling and questionnaire administered to 126 faculty members. Results and Discussion – The findings revealed that the ecosystem has a positive and significant influence on faculty commitment (??=?0.317, p?<?0.05) and on entrepreneurial leadership(??=?0.086, p?<?0.05), however, insufficient evidence was found to validate the relationship between leadership and commitment or the moderating effect of innovative culture between the ecosystem and faculty commitment. It is concluded that universities that optimize their entrepreneurial ecosystems not only strengthen faculty commitment to entrepreneurship but also enhance entrepreneurial leadership. © 2026 Loaiza-Torres, Carvache-Franco, Salas-Vargas, Carvache-Franco, Paz Becerra, Avila Lema and Carvache-Franco."