Factors for setting up and success of associative microbusinesses created by young university graduates

Abstract

The promotion of entrepreneurship from the universities is an increasingly valued academic function. However, few papers explore the barriers and facilitating elements that university entrepreneurs face. This study analyses the motivation and other factors that ease the setting up and success of collective firms created by university students, with special emphasis in the role played by universities. The empirical analysis is based on the study of 13 companies created by graduates from three Spanish universities, throug in depth interviews to its members. The results show that the professional development and personal values like initiative, independence, adjustment capacity and perseverance are the most pointed out motivations by university students to create a firm with their classmates. Likewise, university appears as an element of support with entrepreneurship courses, services as advising, advertising or contacts, and the mutual knowledge of future partners. Nevertheless, the analysis reveals that much work is still needed if universities want to offer an effective promotion.