Abstract
This research investigates the fundamental dimensions of entrepreneurship research centers (ERC), analyzes the determinants of research performance, and suggests a taxonomy that may help a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity of strategic patterns among centers. Entrepreneurship continues to flourish, with more than 1,600 centers dedicating to entrepreneurial research and education; centers represent a relevant unit of analysis, due to the inherently collaborative nature of entrepreneurship. Research on individual and institutional factors behind performance of research centers has mainly focused on science and engineering based disciplines. To the best of our knowledge entrepreneurship has been so far neglected. Which are the performance determinants of ERC? Given the heterogeneity of ERC (considering factors such as research orientation, stakeholder, and openness), can we suggest a taxonomy? Can this taxonomy help us understanding differences in ERC’s scientific performance?