Entrepreneurial transition of agricultural universities: a Fuzzy DEMATEL analysis of governance and institutional factors

Purpose This study aims to identify and model the cause-and-effect relationships among the key criteria influencing the transition of agricultural universities into entrepreneurial universities.Design/Methodology The research was conducted in two stages: a case study followed by a Fuzzy DEMATEL analysis. In the first stage, a case study involving 16 key faculty informants was conducted to extract the criteria influencing entrepreneurship at agricultural universities. In the second stage, 81 participants – including faculty experts, entrepreneurial students, entrepreneurship mentors, and active entrepreneurs from the private agricultural sector – were interviewed to determine the cause-and-effect relationships among these criteria using the Fuzzy DEMATEL method.Findings The results indicate that effective state governance is the primary factor shaping entrepreneurship at agricultural universities. While faculty specialists and entrepreneurial students perceive governance as independent of other criteria, entrepreneurship mentors from the Agricultural Jihad Organization argue that state governance is influenced by a supportive peripheral environment, societal entrepreneurial culture, and the university–industry–society relationship. Academic governance, a supportive peripheral environment, and the university–industry–society relationship was identified as critical factors.Theoretical Implications This study contributes to the theory of entrepreneurship in agricultural universities by identifying the key determinants of entrepreneurial activity and ecosystem development within these institutions, particularly in developing-country contexts.Practical Implications The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and higher education planners – especially in developing countries – on strengthening entrepreneurship at agricultural universities through improved governance structures, academic frameworks, and university–industry collaboration.Policy Implications The transition of agricultural universities into entrepreneurial institutions requires coordinated action among the state, universities, industry, and society, emphasizing effective governance, institutional autonomy, a supportive entrepreneurial culture, and robust collaborative networks to promote knowledge commercialization and innovation.Originality/Value This study introduces a model for understanding and fostering the entrepreneurial transition of agricultural universities, offering meaningful insights into the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems in agricultural education worldwide.