Conference Proceedings Submissions

Conference Proceedings Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
The template provided by the organisers was used
The submission cover the following aspects:
> A brief Introduction of the approached subject highlighting the added value of the research;
> Research Purpose and the Methodological Approach;
> Key Results of the research and brief Discussions;
> Main Conclusions.
The submission is structured in such a way that the presentation can be framed within a 20 minute time slot.
The submission file is in PDF format.

Author Guidelines

The Power Point presentation should be structured in such a way that the presentation can be framed within a 20 minute time slot and must cover the following aspects:

A brief Introduction of the approached subject highlighting the added value of the research;
Research Purpose and the Methodological Approach;
Key Results of the research and brief Discussions;
Main Conclusions.

Entrepreneurial Universities as Drivers of Innovation: From Technology Transfer to Broader Impact

Universities are increasingly central actors in regional innovation ecosystems, evolving from traditional knowledge institutions into proactive drivers of economic and societal progress (Klofsten et al., 2019; Guerrero et al., 2024). A cornerstone of this shift is the valorization and commercialization of research, often enabled through “triple helix” collaborations among universities, industry, and government (Etzkowitz, 1993) through which universities create pathways for research to directly influence society (Burbridge, 2021).

Academic entrepreneurship, and especially academic spin-offs, remains a prominent mechanism through which scientific knowledge is translated into market and societal value (Shane & Stuart, 2002; Heirman & Clarysse, 2004). Alongside spin-offs, universities increasingly contribute to student entrepreneurship, defined as the entrepreneurial action and venture creation initiated and led by enrolled students, including innovative startups and opportunity-driven projects that leverage university resources (Bergmann et al., 2016; Morris et al., 2017). Through these mechanisms, universities shape mindsets and capabilities that encourage innovation-oriented behavior and a broader diffusion of an entrepreneurial culture across regions.

At the same time, contemporary grand challenges facing societies and economies (i.e., **climate and sustainability transitions**, digital disruption) call for a wider view of the entrepreneurial university. Beyond commercialization, universities are expected to contribute to social innovation and **long-term regional resilience**. Workforce development has become a critical pathway through which universities generate impact, nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets in uncertain and complex environments (Hayter et al., 2023; Abreu & Grinevich, 2024).

NEO-Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development

Sustainable tourism represents a strategic field for NEO-Entrepreneurship, understood as a new generation of entrepreneurial processes that integrate economic viability, environmental responsibility, and social value creation. Within this framework, entrepreneurship becomes a key mechanism through which sustainability transitions are operationalized at local and regional levels.

From a neo-entrepreneurial perspective, the balance between economic growth and environmental protection is achieved through innovative business models, responsible resource management, and place-based value creation strategies. Two critical dimensions underpin this approach: economic sustainability and environmental footprint, both of which are directly shaped by entrepreneurial decision-making and innovation.

The aim of this track is to explore how entrepreneurial approaches can support the development of sustainable tourism systems and generate measurable benefits for local communities and the environment across economic, social, and ecological dimensions.

Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The minitrack on Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship examines the dynamic interplay between digital technologies and entrepreneurial ventures. It focuses on how digital innovations transform business models, reduce barriers to entry, and enable access to global markets.

By leveraging tools such as cloud computing, e-commerce platforms, and big data analytics, blockchain technology, IoT, AI, etc., entrepreneurs can create novel products and services and enhance decision-making processes. This minitrack welcomes contributions that explore the development of digital ecosystems, where startups and stakeholders collaborate to drive technological advancements.

The session is designed for academics, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding and harnessing the potential of digital technologies in entrepreneurship. It encourages interdisciplinary contributions from fields like information systems, business management, and innovation studies.

Beyond Growth: Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Transition toward Sustainable Regional Futures

Regional business ecosystems are increasingly recognized as key drivers of sustainable development, enabling collaboration among firms, public institutions, academia, and civil society. Within these ecosystems, universities play a pivotal role as knowledge-intensive hubs that stimulate innovation and cross-sectoral partnerships.

This minitrack explores how the emergence of neo-entrepreneurship—understood as purpose-driven, digitally enabled, and sustainability-oriented forms of venture creation—is reshaping regional development pathways. The discussion addresses the complexities of ecosystem coordination, including leadership for systemic change, governance structures, and alternative approaches such as the circular economy and industrial symbiosis.

Furthermore, we invite contributions investigating the role of digitalization, simulation tools, and scenario planning in supporting ecosystem resilience. Issues such as greenwashing, impact assessment, and the development of sustainability indicators are central to understanding how actors manage transformation processes.

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