A Research Study about the Websites of Entrepreneurial and Innovative Universities In Terms Of Scientific and Technological Competence in Turkey

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1 Available Online at (c) EJRE published by International Association of Social Science Research - IASSR ISSN: European Journal of Research on Education, 2014, 2(Special Issue), DOI: /ejre European Journal of Research on Education A Research Study about the Websites of Entrepreneurial and Innovative Universities In Terms Of Scientific and Technological Competence in Turkey Münire Ciftci a *, Ezgi Cevher b a PhD,Asis.Prof.,Suleyman Demirel University, Faculty of Economic & Administrative Sciences, Department of Tourism Management; Office: A127 The East Campus Isparta 32260, TURKEY b PhD,Asis.Prof.,Suleyman Demirel University, The East Campus Isparta 32260, TURKEY Abstract Along with the widely usage of communication technologies, internet and web tools; effective, efficient and satisfying use of the web pages of the universities have become very important. The web pages of the universities are the interaction and communication environments which help universities to express themselves in a sense of a corporation and contact with the targeted people. In this study, the web pages of first 50 ranking entrepreneurial and innovative universities of Turkey are examined to find out the differentiated areas in terms of their scientific and technological research capabilities. The findings showed the entrepreneurial and innovative universities web tools usage in research areas. Moreover, these web pages are compared and differences are demonstrated with the web pages of other universities which are out of index European Journal of Research on Education by IASSR. Keywords: Entrepreneurial and innovative universities, Web tools, The content analysis, Turkey; 1. Introduction The outstanding feature of the present century is that the technological changes and innovations are the main indicators in world economies. It is the fact that entrepreneurial and innovative economies are rising rapidly and guiding the world economies. Nowadays, information is changing rapidly, developing and being used as an important concept. Throughout human history, entrepreneurship continues to its path as a dynamic and constantly changing activity. Instead of risk-lover and brave entrepreneurs, innovative and informative thinking entrepreneurs exist in these days. Thus, the concept of entrepreneurship that is in constant changing, confronts us as an innovative entrepreneurship in this globalized world where the transition from industrial society to information society is happening and the competition has gained more importance. On this basis, the definition of entrepreneurship can be expressed as; recognizing work-related opportunities, evaluating these opportunities to perform an appropriate risk management and value creation process by using communication and management skills. The main elements of * munire84@gmail.com 33

2 34 Munire Ciftci,Ezgi Cevher entrepreneurship are knowledge, risk taking, innovation and being proactive (Er, 2013:76; İrmiş ve Özdemir, 2011:139; Ürper, 2013). The changes in the field of entrepreneurship also affected the universities. Universities are having a new innovative and entrepreneurial role over their research roles with the informative economy comes with the developments in IT and technological areas in 21st century. Turkey s 50 most entrepreneurial and innovative universities are being selected based on the Entrepreneur and Innovative University Index prepared by Turkey's Scientific and Technological Research Institution (TUBITAK) within the scope of the "Developing the Policy Tools to Trigger the Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Universities" decision given by The Science and Technology High Council of Turkey. The aim of the index is contributing to the development of entrepreneurship ecosystems by increasing the entrepreneurship and innovation based competition between universities and ranking them with the performance of entrepreneurship and innovation. The universities are being assessed with 23 indicators including scientific and technological research competencies, intellectual property pool, cooperation and interaction, economic contribution and commercialization with the entrepreneurship and innovation culture where Higher Education Council, Statistical Institute of Turkey, Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Finance, the Turkish Patent Institute, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration and universities contribute to this index (TÜBİTAK,2013a). These indicators; Aspect 1: Scientific and Technological Research Competence; number of scientific publications, the number of citations, R&D and innovation support programs taken from the number of projects, R&D and innovation support programs received from the fund, national and international science award number, Doctorates number of graduates. Aspect 2: Intellectual Property Pool; number of patent applications, number of patent documents, the the number of useful model/industrial design, the number of international patent applications. Aspect 3: Cooperation and Interaction; the number of R&D and innovation projects within university and industy cooperation, the fund amounth obtained for the R&D and innovation projects within university and industy cooperation, the number of R&D and innovation projects with an international cooperation, the fund amounth obtained for the R&D and innovation projects within international cooperation, instructor/student numbers abroad. Aspect 4: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Culture; undergraduate and graduate level entrepreneurship, the number of technology management and innovation management courses, Technology Transfer Office, techno parks, incubation centers and full-time eployees work under technology centers, the Technology Transfer Office s structuring asset, entrepreneurship organizations to the outsiders, the number of technology management and innovation management training/certification programs. Aspect 5: Economic Contribution and Commercialization; the number of active firms owned by academicians in techno parks, incubation centers and technology centers, the number of active firms owned by students or graduates (in the last 5 years) in techno parks, incubation centers and technology centers, the number of employees in the firms in techno parks, incubation centers and technology centers owned by academicians, the number of licensed patent/useful model/industrial designs (TÜBİTAK,2013b). The classified universities are investigated in this study with considering their entrepreneurial and innovative structured websites where the indicators are taken as basis to see the different perspectives in the evaluation process. In this study, the importance of the use of information is emphasized as well as the use of information reflection tools where how much data had taken place in these websites of the universities that examined based on 5 dimensions and 23 indicators. 2. The Methodology of the Research The aim of this study is, revealing whether entrepreneurial and innovative" structure of the first 50 universities of Turkey in terms of entrepreneurship and innovation is noticeable or not. This study is a qualitative study which uses observation, interview and document analysis tools for data collection and follows a research pattern process in order to have a realistic and holistic manner for the perceptions

3 Title of the study A Research Study About The Websites Of Entrepreneurial And Innovative Universities In Terms Of Scientific And Technological Competence In Turkey and events in natural environments (Yılmaz, 20011:5). The sensitvitiy to the natural environment, researcher s participant role, having a totaliratian approach, providing perceptions, flexibility and having an inductive analysis are the main features of the qualitative analysis which differentiates it from quantitative analysis (Külekçi, 2013:371). The content analysis method is used for data collection which is a qualitative research technique. Research main topic and homepage news and announcements on the webpages of 50 index universities are analyzed with content analysis. 50 randomly selected universities not included in the index are also analyzed with content analysis in terms of their Research main topic and homepage news and announcements in order to make comparisons. New codes and coding guidelines are prepared through content analysis with considering the data on the websites which are the essential indicators for the websites of the universities in terms of "entrepreneurial and innovative University Index". In the content analysis which is a scientific approach; research of the social facts are in question by using the systematic and objective classification of the messages contains verbal, written and other materials, converting them to the numbers and making interferences (Tavşancıl ve Aslan, 2001: 22). The content analysis is used in order to make an objective, measurable and verifiable statement for the open and displayed content of the messages. The prepared coding guidelines were developed by the researchers. This directive has been examined by experts from the field. In this context, the created coding guideline is reliable and valid. The validity of the directive is created with the revised codes and sub-codes. In this research, 50 universities within the entrepreneurial and innovative index and another 50 universities not in this index are examined under these main codes based on the university distinction, the English pages, research departments, research sub-titles, the technology transfer office, homepage news and announcements". The main code related to research and sub-codes related to research activities are taken into consideration. The main and sub-codes which create the coding guideline are given below: 1. University Type (Foundation University, Public University) 2. University Foundation Year 3. English Website 4. The Topic of the Research (section) 5. The Sub-Topics of the Research a. About the Research b. Research Centers c. Techno City, Techno Park etc. d. Labrotaries e. Information Center f. Scientific Academic Projects g. Awards h. Publications i. Research Forum Page j. Research Supports, Programs (incentives) k. University-Industry Cooperation l. Faculty Training Program (ÖYP) m. Thesis Scan - Query Page n. Database o. Web Of Science p. Magazines q. R&D Activities r. R&D Outputs 35

4 Munire Ciftci,Ezgi Cevher s. Research Ethics Committees t. Technology Transfer Office 6. Technology Transfer Office a. Industry Cooperation b. Project Incentives c. Research Project News d. Research Outputs e. Patent 7. Homepage Announcements and News a. Research-Project News b. Research-Project Incentives c. Research-Project Awards d. Research-Project Activities 3. The Findings of the Research The following conclisions are reached after examining and analyzing the webpages of the included universities to the study. Table 1. University Type The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index University Type Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage Foundation University 17 % 66,0 17 % 66,0 Public University 33 % % 34.0 TOTAL 50 % 100,0 50 % 100,0 The most entrepreneurial and innovative universities are seen to be public universities when we look at the 50 index universities reviewed in the study. In order to make comparisons, the number of the other universities taken into the study is tried to be same and similar results are achieved. The result of the most entrepreneurial and innovative universities are seen to be public universities when we look at the 50 index universities shows that the State is supporting the public universities in terms of R&D activities and even for the R&D activities the foundation universities expect funds from public sector. It can be concluded that for the R&D infrastructure public universities are using higher education funds unlike the foundation universities. Besides all these facts it is an important indicator that the public universities are getting support for their R&D activities from the State as cash, whereas the fund of the foundation universities are very limited. No matter what reasons they face, in order have a scientific and technological competence, either public or foundation universities have to have increasing research and development activities as much as possible. Thus, available State and European Union funds are very important for both public and foundation universities. Table 2. The Year of Foundation of the University The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index Foundation Year Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage 1-10 Years 4 % 8,0 33 % 66, Years 12 % 24,0 5 % 10, Years 13 % 26,0 7 % 14, Years 8 % 16,0 3 % 6,0 36

5 Title of the study A Research Study About The Websites Of Entrepreneurial And Innovative Universities In Terms Of Scientific And Technological Competence In Turkey Years 4 % 8,0 2 % 4 More Than 50 Years 9 % 18,0 0 % 0 TOTAL 50 % 100,0 50 % 100,0 When the establishement years of the universities are reviewed in the study, it is seen that most of them have a history of years in the index universities. On the other hand, most universities out of the index are the newly established, 1-10 years old universities. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that, earning the competencies and infrastructure of the research and development can be achieved over the years. Receiving the necessary R&D funds, the establishment of university-industry cooperation, increasing the number of scientific publications and projects can be possible in time. Table 3. English Websites The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index English Website Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage English Webpages Exist 50 % 100,0 50 % 100,0 TOTAL 50 % 100,0 50 % 100,0 When both index and non-index universities are reviewed; it has been observed they both have optional English web pages. This is an adventageous situation for all the universities particularly in the international level. These English web pages are very important especially for foreign-funded research projects and collaborations between universities. It becomes possible with this way for domestic or foreign users to view the web pages of the universities. Table 4. Topic of the Research The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index Topic Of The Research Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage Topic of the Research Exists 31 % 62,0 16 % 32,0 Topic of the Research Does Not Exists 19 % 38,0 34 % 68,0 TOTAL 50 % 100,0 50 % 100,0 62% of the universities within the index have research topic on their homepage of the web pages. On the other hand, 68% of the non-index universities do not have a research topic on their web pages. This situation shows that entrepreneurial and innovative universities differ from other universities on their websites in terms of research. Having a research topic on the main page can create awareness on the users about R&D activities. At this point, the attention given to R&D activities by the entrepreneurial universities resulted with putting research topics to their home pages and feeding them with some other sub-topics related to the researches. The other research service information and the rates under the research topic of the web pages are as follows: Table 4. Research Sub-Topics The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index Research Sub-Topics Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage About the Research Exists 6 % 12,0 0 % 0 Research Centers Exist 27 % 54,0 13 % 26,0 Techno City-Techno Park etc. Exist 15 % 30,0 1 % 2,0 37

6 Munire Ciftci,Ezgi Cevher Laboratory Exists 18 % 36,0 1 % 2,0 Info Center Exists 13 % 26,0 2 % 4,0 Scientific Academic Projects Exist 19 %38,0 9 % 18,0 Awards Exist 4 % 8,0 0 % 0 Publications Exist 15 % 30,0 0 % 0 Research Forum Pages Exist 1 % 2,0 0 % 0 Research Incentives Exist 15 % 30,0 2 % 4,0 University-Industry Cooperation Exist 14 %28,0 1 % 2,0 Faculty Training Program Exist 4 % 8,0 1 % 2,0 Thesis Scan and Query Exist 6 % 12,0 0 % 0 Data Bases Exist 6 % 12,0 0 % 0 Web Of Science Exist 3 % 6,0 0 % 0 Magazines Exist 8 % 16,0 1 % 2,0 R&D Activities Exist 14 % 28,0 5 %10,0 R&D Outputs Exist 16 % 32,0 5 %10,0 Research Ethics Committee Exists 14 % 28,0 4 %8,0 Technology Transfer Office Exists 17 %34,0 0 % 0 Table 4 shows that under the research topic of the index universities mostly "research centers, scientific and academic projects unit, laboratories, technology transfer office, R & D outputs" take place. In addition, "techno city, information center, scientific publications, incentives for project proposals, collaborations, and research activities and ethics committees" also take an important place on the web pages of these universities. Similarly, when the research topic of non-index universities is reviewed; research centers and scientific and academic projects unit" can be observed. Although a very little about "research and development activities, research and development outcomes and research ethics committees" are also mentioned. This table shows that the entrepreneurial and innovative universities have some efforts in order to create awareness on research areas and differentiate from others by using the web pages. When it is considered that the web pages of the universities are being visited by hundreds of users every day, their satisfactory, efficient and effective usability becomes a necessity. The presentation and the announcement of the research related services are also important on the websites to see the scientific research capability and capacity of a university. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that especially the entrepreneurial and innovative universities in the index are trying to achieve "scientific and technological research competence" criteria and care about these criteria. Table 5. Technology Transfer Office The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index Technology Transfer Office Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage Industrial Cooperation 8 % 16,0 0 % 0 Project Incentives (Calls) 10 % 20,0 0 % 0 Research and Project News 9 % 18,0 0 % 0 Research Outputs 9 % 18,0 0 % 0 Patent 8 % 16,0 0 % 0 Table 5 shows that entrepreneurial and innovative universities have technology transfer offices under their research topics. 34% of the universities designed this topic to be opened as a separate window on their web pages. There are "industrial cooperation, the project calls, research and project news, outputs, patents and intellectual property concepts in the technology transfer office related to research and development. This shows that entrepreneurial and innovative universities announce their research activities on their web pages under technology 38

7 Title of the study A Research Study About The Websites Of Entrepreneurial And Innovative Universities In Terms Of Scientific And Technological Competence In Turkey transfer offices topic and create awareness on the users and visitors. When non-index universities reviewed, it is observed that technology transfer offices do not exist on their web pages. Technology transfer offices are also one of the evaluation criteria for the entrepreneurship index. Table 6. Homepage News and Announcements The Universities Within The Index The Universities Out Of The Index Homepage News, Announcements Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage Research and Project News Exist 41 % 82,0 40 % 80,0 Research and Project Calls Exist 33 % 66,0 22 % 44,0 Research and Project Awards Exist 35 % 70,0 24 % 48,0 Research Activities Exist 46 % 92,0 46 % 92,0 Finally, Table 6 shows that findings related to research and development are encountered on the web pages announcement and news pages of the universities. These news and announcements more likely shows which topics are taking place in the development areas. The findings also show that both index and non-index universities give place to research and project news, call for project proposals, awards, and scientific events. Entrepreneurial and innovative universities give more places to the project supports and research awards whereas the other universities give less place to these topics on their web pages. 4. Conclusion When the web pages of the first 50 ranking entrepreneurial and innovative universities of Turkey are reviewed in order to determine whether their entrepreneurial and innovative structures are noticeable or not, according to findings of this study nearly two-thirds of these 50 entrepreneurial and innovative index universities web pages contain proper information and share related data under this index concept. It is also observed that the index universities give place to this kind of news and announcements on their web pages related to the dimension of "Scientific and Technological Research Competence". When compared with the non-index 50 universities, we can claim that their websites are more effective in this matter. Not all the universities but most of them which are in the index according to their "Intellectual Property Pool", contain these information on their web pages. When compared with the non-index universities it can be said that they are still better in this area. Most index universities have news and announcements about "Cooperation and Interaction" on their web pages. Non-index universities do not have anything important about this issue on their websites. On the web pages of the index universities, there are some different applications about "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Culture". But still they don t have enough data. It is usually mentioned on the web pages disorderly, for the people who are a little experienced on the subject. When compared with the non-index universities, we can claim that their websites are more effective in this matter. There are scattered and incomplete information on the web pages of the index universities about "Economic Contribution and Commercialization. But still, when compared with the non-index universities it can be said that they are better in this area. When all the results are evaluated generally in this study; it can be said that the public universities are better than the foundation universities in terms of entrepreneurship and innovation fields, more experience universities are better in terms of researches than the newly established ones, entrepreneurship and innovation related issues can be found on the web pages under research topics, and most indicators under the concept of the index are collected under this topic. 39

8 Munire Ciftci,Ezgi Cevher As a result, the web pages of the universities in the "Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Index" are generally good, but systematic and regular information sharing is not available. When compared with the web pages of the non-index 50 universities, the index universities can be expressed very well, because there are notable differences on the web pages of the index and non-index universities. In the context of the research, the universities who care about entrepreneurship and innovation also care about the web pages and they share the information in this environment effectively. Acknowledgements We cannot express enough thanks to our parents for their continued support and encouragement. We offer our sincere appreciation for the learning opportunities provided by our university, Suleyman Demirel University. Our completion of this study could not have been accomplished without the support of our colleagues. References Clark, B. (2001). The Entrepreneurial University: New Foundations for Collegiality, Autonomy, and Achievement, Higher Education Management, Journal of the Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education, Vol. 13:No. 2, Er, P. H. (2013). Girişimcilik ve Yenilikçilik Kavramlarının İktisadi Düşüncedeki Yeri: Joseph A. Schumpeter, Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, Sayı:29, Guerrero-Cano, M., Kirby, D., & Urbano, D. (2006). A LiteratureReview on Entrepreneurial Universities: an Institutional Approach. Departament d'economia de l'empresa, Spain. İrmiş, A. ve Özdemir F.(2011). Girişimcilik ve Yenilik İlişkisi. Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, Journal of Administrative Sciences, sayı:9;cilt: Karin Glaser. Creating an Entrepreneurial University: Effects on University Governance, Research, and Teaching The Case of the University of Vienna. 13th International Winelands Conference. SouthAfrica/Local%20Assets/Documents/creating_an_entrepreneurial_university_effects_on_university_governance.pdf Külekçi, E. (2013) Eğitim Sistemi Kapsamında Birleştirilmiş Sınıf Uygulamasına İlişkin Öğretmen Görüşlerinin Değerlendirilmesi. Eğitim ve Öğretim Araştırmaları Dergisi. Journal of Research in Education and Teaching, Cilt:2 Sayı:2, OECD.(2012). A Guiding Framework for Entrepreneurial Universities, Final version 18th December. OECD%20Entrepreneurial%20Universities%20Framework.pdf. Erişim Tarihi Sakınç, S. ve S. A. Bursalıoğlu (2012).Yükseköğretimde Küresel Bir Değişim: Girişimci Üniversite Modeli. Yükseköğretim ve Bilim Dergisi/Journal of Higher Education and Science Cilt/Volume 2, Sayı/Number 2, Sayfa/Pages Tavşancıl E., Aslan, E., (2001), İçerik Analizi ve Uygulama Örnekleri, İstanbul: Epsilon Yayınları. TÜBİTAK (2013a). Erişim Tarihi: TÜBİTAK (2013b). Erişim Tarihi: Ürper, Y (Ed.). (2013). Girişimcilik. Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayını, Eskişehir. Yılmaz, S. (2011). İlköğretim Dördüncü Sınıf Öğrencilerinin Birlikte Çalışma ya İlişkin Algıları. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. Cilt 12,Sayı 1,