| dc.description.abstract | The overall objective of this study was to understand the institutional forces for promoting
entrepreneurial development in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania and to provide an
institutional framework for the same. The study used the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) as a
case study to provide an account of the formal institutions, the informal institutions, and the
organizational legitimacy that influence entrepreneurial development in the Tanzanian HLIs.
Methodologically, the study used individual interviews and focus groups for primary data collection, and
documentary review for secondary data to back up the primary data. The study used thematic analysis to
derive themes from the data. Data were analyzed with the aid of Nvivo computer-assisted qualitative
data analysis software. Through data saturation, a sample size of 73 respondents was reached. The study
revealed that, properly organized formal institutions that are functional, active, and mutually reinforcing-
including the HLIs’ charter as a formal external instrument; the research and development policy,
innovation policy, entrepreneurship development investment policy, and the entrepreneurship
development course as a formal internal instrument-enhance entrepreneurship development in HLIs. The
study also revealed the need for informal institutions, such as social traditions and social norms as
informal internal instruments, to supplement formal institutions. The study also revealed that, when
formal and informal institutional forces are unquestionably functioning, active, and interplaying, and
stakeholders are required to comply with them, the organizational legitimacy of entrepreneurship
development in HLIs can be attained. | en_US |
