Abstract
The aim of the study is a description of the theoretical concept of entrepreneurialism in the higher education institutions. Firstly the overall socio-economic factors leading to the rising market orientation of higher education institutions are identified.
Than a number of theoretical models of universities oriented on the market to a various degree is analysed and compared. Finally the possibility of application of various models in European higher education is discussed.
The study aims to answer the following questions 1] In what socio-economic context does the concept of entrepreneurialism of university arise and why? 2] Which models of market oriented universities can be found? What are their main characteristics (seminal service university, enterprise university, corporate university, critical service university, entrepreneurial university and adaptive university)? 3] Why and how does the concept of general “entrepreneurial“ university evolve? 4] Which model could possibly thrive in the European tertiary education?