Typology of university behaviour in innovation ecosystems: from institutional maturity to mission diversity

Abstract This study develops a typology of university behaviours within innovation ecosystems, grounded in three dimensions: the maturity of the surrounding innovation ecosystem, the institutional maturity of the university, and the diversity of university missions. Using a framework synthesis approach, four university types were identified: reactive imposed, catalytic driving, decoupled misaligned, and transformative innovative. These types provide a structured basis for explaining how universities behave across key institutional functions, including curriculum planning, faculty recruitment, funding mechanisms, governance, external engagement, and impact evaluation. The findings show that the identified university types adopt distinct roles and behaviours, ranging from reactive and constrained approaches to proactive, multi-mission practices that actively contribute to innovation activities within ecosystems. This typology enhances understanding of the functional diversity of universities and offers a practical analytical framework for policymakers and university leaders to design targeted strategies, foster institutional development, and strengthen universities’ contributions to innovation and societal impact.