Articles
DOI DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18442924

Innovation Ecosystems and the Entrepreneurial University: Technology Transfer Models and Economic Growth Effects (Kosovo Case Study)

Edmond Hajrizi1
  1. 1 UBT College (University for Business and Technology), Lagjja Kalabria, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo

Abstract

Entrepreneurial universities increasingly function as institutional coordinators
in innovation ecosystems by reducing commercialisation frictions through
governance, intellectual property (IP) support, and industry linkage capacity.
This study examines Kosovo as a small and emerging economy where ecosystem
constraints—limited commercialisation infrastructure, weak research–industry
interfaces, and fragmented entrepreneurship pipelines—may amplify the
marginal returns of university technology transfer capacity. The paper develops
an indicator-based framework to operationalise technology transfer office (TTO)
activity as a composite index capturing IP support, partnership throughput,
mentorship intensity, and pipeline governance. Using an internally consistent
demonstrative dataset to illustrate a replicable analytic workflow, the study
evaluates descriptive associations between TTO activity, university spinout
formation, and a growth proxy. Results indicate strong alignment between higher
TTO activity and increased spinout formation (Figure 1; Table 1). To support
present versus near-future comparisons, the paper incorporates macroeconomic
benchmarks: Kosovo’s real GDP growth reached 4.4% in 2024 and is expected
to be 3.8% in both 2025 and 2026, while the IMF reports 2025 projected growth
of 3.9% (Figure 2; Table 2). The paper concludes with a scalable entrepreneurial
university model and a KPI dashboard suitable for ecosystem governance in
transitional economies.

How to Cite

Hajrizi, E. (2026). Innovation Ecosystems and the Entrepreneurial University: Technology Transfer Models and Economic Growth Effects (Kosovo Case Study). Transnational Academic Journal of Economics, 2(3), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18442924
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