Mutualism in ecosystems of innovation and entrepreneurship: A bidirectional perspective on universities’ linkages

• University-industry mutualism re-configures the eco-systems actors and impacts. enhances innovative/entrepreneurial culture. Eco-systems reinforces university-industry collaborations Mutualism needs well-organized managerial university structures. requires coordination of regulations at different geographical scales. The accumulation knowledge that explains universities’ contributions to innovation entrepreneurship’s regional has mainly adopted a perspective based on technology transfer processes from academia markets. Alternatively, in this study, we assume notion mutualism, biomimetic rationale eco-system studies involve bidirectional flows resources capabilities generate interactions value co-creation among agents. This study theorizes about interrelation between universities two directions: (a) fostering improving through their core activities; (b) shaping access for universities. Based analysis five state São Paulo, Brazil, our results underscore existence relationships established findings also highlighted implications related policies need strategic management practices mutualistic interactions.