Thorp, Holden and Buck Goldstein. Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2010.
Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century is an exploration into the design of a collaborative academic institution where silos of discipline-specific competency and tradition disappear and innovation reigns supreme

Bell, Joseph R.

English

Sacred Heart University: DigitalCommons@SHU

New England Journal ofEntrepreneurshipVolume 14 | Number 2 Article 102011Engines of Innovation: The EntrepreneurialUniversity in the Twenty-First CenturyJoseph R. BellUniversity of Arkansas, jrbell@ualr.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/nejePart of the Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons, and the Higher EducationCommonsThis Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Jack Welch College of Business at DigitalCommons@SHU. It has been accepted forinclusion in New England Journal of Entrepreneurship by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@SHU. For more information, please contactferribyp@sacredheart.edu, lysobeyb@sacredheart.edu.Recommended CitationBell, Joseph R. (2011) "Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century," New England Journal ofEntrepreneurship: Vol. 14 : No. 2 , Article 10.Available at: https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/neje/vol14/iss2/10Book ReviewEngines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First CenturyJoseph R. BellHolden Thorp and Buck Goldstein, Engines ofInnovation: The Entrepreneurial University in theTwenty-First Century, Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 2010, 154pages. List price $25.00Engines of Innovation: The EntrepreneurialUniversity in the Twenty-First Century is an explo-ration into the design of a collaborative academicinstitution where silos of discipline-specific competency andtradition disappear and innovation reigns supreme. Thebook’s influence could ultimately revolutionize the structureof academia while simultaneously mounting an attack on theworld’s monster problems. The book provides insights intosuccessful innovation-focused academic programs,renownedacademic leaders and entrepreneurs, and offers strategies forcreating truly innovative and entrepreneurial campuses.Scattered throughout the book, and emphasized in the finalchapter, the authors discuss how donor giving has evolvedand what institutions can do to advance campus initiativesand address the desires of this new breed of donor.The authors set the tone and urgency for their message inthe introduction by quoting Rahm Emanuel, former chief ofstaff for President Obama, who said,“You never want a seri-ous crisis to go to waste.”The authors then comment that uni-versities have a major responsibility as “engines of innova-tion.” They also go on to pose the question, “Are our greatresearch universities ready to assume the responsibility thathas been placed upon them?”Their answer is “that they [greatresearch universities] have no choice. . . .”The book is divided into two distinct sections. The firstsection (Chapters 1–5) is about innovation. Here, the authorsdiscuss the components necessary for the entrepreneurialuniversity—an aspirational perspective. The second section(Chapters 6–11) shares specific strategic and executioninsights, along with recommendations for organizationalstructure and accountability.The opening sentence in the first chapter sets the tone forthe entire book in stating, “Events have conspired to placeour great universities in an either enviable or terrifying posi-tion.…”The chapter focuses upon the responsibility of theuniversities of the 21st century to take on the world’s greatproblems, and the multidisciplinary diversity necessary toachieve success.The authors encourage universities to breakfrom traditional, hierarchical structures.The chapter goes onto provide a glimpse of what is to come in the remainder ofthe book.The second chapter,“Entrepreneurial Science,” establishesthe book’s premise: that science needs to take on a more col-laborative, multidisciplinary approach if the world’s greatproblems are to be addressed. As we all have heard, and inmany cases experienced, breaking down the silos in acade-mia is a challenge, but a necessary challenge for the 21st-cen-tury university. From funding issues to the new student-learn-er, the paradigm for our universities is changing.“Translational sciences,” discussed in Chapter Three,describes sciences that bridge the gap between academiaand the “outside world.”The chapter highlights engineeringprograms and the applied sciences, the up-and-coming med-ical research institutions, and colleges of business. Theauthors state that translational disciplines create businessesand then cite the success of MIT having started more than5,000 companies that account for over $230 billion in annu-al sales. A nexus that is mentioned in this chapter, thoughunderstated in the book, is that between the engineering andbusiness schools—but more on that later.The chapter high-lights successful programs like Stanford and the DeshpandeCenter at MIT. Here, and throughout the book, the authorseffectively use practical and interesting success stories.The importance of social entrepreneurship is covered inChapter Four, noting a decade ago few recognized the term.The authors hold that social entrepreneurship is the intersec-tion of sustainability and accountability, though acknowledgethat the definition continues to be a moving target. In thechapter, they discuss the compelling nature of social entre-preneurship and its ties to donor motivations. Once again,the authors offer compelling examples of campuses embrac-ing successful social entrepreneurship initiatives.In Chapter Five, the discussion turns to the elimination ofdepartments, even commenting that the most radicalapproach would be to “blow [them] up.” It is one of the mostcompelling chapters of the book, pushing the envelope onNEJE BOOK REVIEW 811Bell: Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial UniversityPublished by DigitalCommons@SHU, 2011traditional university structure.The authors offer reasons notto take this approach, but more importantly, they providecommentary on why new centers of innovation are neces-sary. A successful example is complemented by a series ofobservations on why changing the fabric of universities isimportant and how change might be accomplished.In Chapter Six,“Leadership,”the authors begin by claimingthat innovation starts with entrepreneurial thinking—andentrepreneurial thinking begins with individuals rather thandepartments or committees.The chapter goes on to list keyleadership traits exhibited by academic visionaries inter-viewed by the authors.Words like culture, strategy, and exe-cution are prominent. The profile of John Hennessy, presi-dent of Stanford, is a great read.In addressing faculty attributes, the authors in ChapterSeven, identify and define the differing roles assumed byresearch faculty. From the public scholar, one with the abilityto connect to a mass audience, to the entrepreneurial schol-ar, one more accustomed to asking forgiveness than permis-sion, to the engaged scholar, one who creates service-learn-ing opportunities, the chapter highlights the diverse skillsand tact employed by varying academic roles.Chapter Eight offers a notable discussion around the diffi-culties in reaching consensus in an academic setting. Theauthors recognize the challenge but embrace the devotionfaculty has for their discipline and institution.They offer aninsightful look at the tenure process, its value, its evolution,and its challenges.The remainder of the chapter covers cul-tural change, why it does not happen overnight, and again,offers suggestions on strategy and implementation.The following chapter asks if entrepreneurship can betaught and then defers to Peter Drucker, who asserts thatentrepreneurship is based upon concept and theory, andreaffirms that, in fact, entrepreneurship can be taught. Theauthors propose a strong preference for both the position ofentrepreneurship within the university and the scope of itsofferings.This is by far the most thought-provoking chapterin the book.“Accountability,” the title of Chapter Ten, talks mission andfit, but most compelling is the lack of weight the authorsassign to external rankings. They are quite frank in theirbeliefs as to what drives academic rankings.Recognizing thateach campus is unique, the authors embrace the fact that thedesign of campus entrepreneurial initiatives really becomesrecognition of institutional autonomy and diversity.In closing, the final chapter, “The New Donors andUniversity Development,” presents a wonderful discussioninto the legacy being created by Bill Gates and his philan-thropic intent.Donors, large and small,are motivated very dif-ferently today than was the case with historic giving. In com-ing full circle, today’s donors truly fit the mold of supportingprojects that address the world’s monster problems.The authors conclude that the silo mentality must giveway. For innovation to flourish within the institution theremust be room within the institution for the entrepreneur.This book is a quick and enjoyable read.The authors accu-rately highlight concerns many in the field of entrepreneur-ship have observed or encountered over the years withintheir academic institutions.Articulation of these concerns bythese extremely credible academic leaders gives credence tothe struggle and should open a serious dialogue as academicinstitutions move into a new era of student, funding,research, and abundance of other 21st- century issues.Chapter Nine especially challenged me to examine mypreferences, having a long and, I believe, rich history in bothprivate sector and academic settings. As business faculty, Ibegan to take on a protectionist posture but came to realizemuch of what the authors propose would have more closelyaligned with my needs as a student-learner—even some 30 orso years ago. In any event, I was a bit disappointed in the less-than-expected role the business school played in the book. Inaddition, Chapter Nine’s importance may have benefitedfrom an earlier appearance in the book. I also believe thebook could have been further enhanced by a chapter devot-ed entirely to scientific research and its relationship to mar-ket opportunity, though I may be reaching a bit for moredepth than the authors intended.Engines of Innovation:TheEntrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century hasdrawn a line in the sand and challenges institutions to rein-vent themselves. Be bold, blow up the silos, and take on theworld’s monster problems!The book is a must read for all university leadership. It isvery engaging for faculty, entrepreneurial or otherwise, andserves as a road map for future giving and fundraising. Bewary, colleagues, as the entrepreneurial community alreadyhas a copy of Engine of Innovations. I was introduced tothis book via a recommendation from a friend and formercolleague. He is an entrepreneur, medical doctor, and entre-preneurship educator and activist. He was quite inspired bythe book and shared it with me. Since reading the book, I toohave embraced the message the authors offer and I haveshared the book with a number of academic administratorsand colleagues. In closing, I would like to thank the authorsfor deftly putting in writing what has needed to have beensaid for some time now. Please feel free to pass on a copy.82 NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP2New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, Vol. 14 [2011], No. 2, Art. 10https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/neje/vol14/iss2/10About the AuthorJOSEPH R. BELL (jrbell@ualr.edu) is an associate professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Arkansasat Little Rock. He is also the associate director for business development at BioVentures, the commercializa-tion and technology transfer arm of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and has cofounded anumber of startup ventures.He teaches Issues in Entrepreneurship,New Venture Creation and Small BusinessManagement. His research covers early-stage fundraising, entrepreneurship coursework, timely issues affect-ing entrepreneurial businesses, and case writing. His research appears in such publications asEntrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Entrepreneurial Executive, and New England Journal ofEntrepreneurship. He has also written a book entitled Finding an Angel Investor in a Day:Get It Done Right,Get It Done Fast.NEJE BOOK REVIEW 833Bell: Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial UniversityPublished by DigitalCommons@SHU, 2011

Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century

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Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century

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