How Entrepreneurial are Universities? A Typological Analysis of Swedish Higher Education Institutions

Swedish universities vary significantly in their levels of market and entrepreneurial orientation as well as in their degree of institutional autonomy and strategic intent. This four-part typology helps policymakers better understand these differences and tailor policy instruments accordingly. The typological mapping provides a shared conceptual framework for aligning higher education policy with institutional realities. The study identifies four distinct university types: (i) Proactive entrepreneurial universities, (ii) Mission-driven academic universities, (iii) Traditional public universities, and (iv) Market-following universities. A total of 28 Swedish universities were included to reflect the core structure and diversity of the national higher education system. These institutions were systematically mapped within the typology. The resulting framework offers a comparative lens for analyzing institutional profiles, supporting both scholarly insight and policy development. By visualizing how universities differ in market orientation and strategic autonomy, the typology enables more informed dialogue about institutional diversity and illustrates how various university types contribute differently to innovation ecosystems and societal needs.