Beyond university extension: repositioning junior enterprises within the university innovation ecosystem

Authors

  • Deysiele Bezerra Rocha Federal University of Ceará
  • Tecia Vieira Carvalho Federal University of Ceará
  • Jancarlos Wendell do Nascimento Carvalho Federal University of Ceará
  • Josimeire de Araújo Gomes Federal University of Ceará
  • Ândria Skolaude Ziemann Federal University of Ceará
  • Maria da Conceição Ferreira de Oliveira Universidade Federal do Ceará

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36942/reni.v11i2.1591

Keywords:

Junior Enterprises, University Governance, Innovation Ecosystem, Innovation, Career Development

Abstract

This article analyzes the institutional repositioning of Junior Enterprises (JEs) at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) following their integration into the Pro-Rectorate for Innovation and Institutional Relations (Prointer). Traditionally understood as extension-based academic practice spaces, JEs are reinterpreted as strategic devices for career development and innovative human capital formation. Methodologically, this is a qualitative case study, exploratory in nature, based on documentary and institutional analysis of the recent arrangement of JEs at UFC. As a main contribution, the study proposes an Integrated Governance Model structured around three axes: competency development, systemic integration into the innovation ecosystem, and impact-oriented strategic governance. The findings suggest that integrating JEs into institutional innovation policy enhances their strategic role within public universities, strengthening their performance as a link between academic training, entrepreneurship, and regional development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Deysiele Bezerra Rocha, Federal University of Ceará

Servidora Técnico-Administrativo na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Especialista em Gestão Universitária/UFC

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1078-3221

Tecia Vieira Carvalho, Federal University of Ceará

Professora Visitante na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Doutora em Biotecnologia pelo Renorbio/UFC

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9999-5009

Jancarlos Wendell do Nascimento Carvalho, Federal University of Ceará

 Graduando em Comunicação Social-Publicidade e Propaganda na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC).

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0639-9554

Josimeire de Araújo Gomes, Federal University of Ceará

 Assessora da Coordenadoria de Empreendedorismo na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Mestre em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente/UFC

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8085-540X

Ândria Skolaude Ziemann, Federal University of Ceará

 Servidora Técnico-Administrativo na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC)

Tecnóloga em comércio exterior/UPF

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4803-7432

Maria da Conceição Ferreira de Oliveira, Universidade Federal do Ceará

Coordenadora de Empreendedorismo na UFC Inova

Doutora em Química pela Unicamp

Professora Titular na UFC

Published

2026-10-05

How to Cite

Bezerra Rocha, D., Vieira Carvalho, T., do Nascimento Carvalho, J. W., de Araújo Gomes, J., Skolaude Ziemann, Ândria, & Ferreira de Oliveira, M. da C. (2026). Beyond university extension: repositioning junior enterprises within the university innovation ecosystem. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Innovation, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.36942/reni.v11i2.1591

Issue

Section

Artigos