Abstract Research on the concept of entrepreneurial universities has dedicated significant attention to understand how academic ecosystems shape the propensity of its members to establish new ventures. In this article we look at a prior step of the entrepreneurial event, i.e., how universities’ dynamics and initiatives related to entrepreneurship affect the proclivity of faculty to engage in entrepreneurship support. We propose and validate a conceptual model that directly relates the university ecosystem with faculty engagement, having entrepreneurial experience of faculty as a moderator and analyzing differences between public and private institutions. Data comprises information from 680 faculty members of over 70 higher education institutions from all regions of Brazil. Analyses were performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equations Modeling. Results point to a strong positive relation between developed university ecosystems and the engagement of faculty with entrepreneurial activities, especially for individuals with stronger entrepreneurial experience. No differences were found between private and public institutions. From a practical standpoint, it is possible to identify more effective, innovative, and systematic ways to implement intrapreneurial practices in universities.

Resumo: O estudo tem como objetivo analisar os fluxos de informação e conhecimento tecnológico intra e extracluster, bem como os papéis cognitivos que as firmas desempenham. Optou-se por investigar tais fluxos entre firmas e instituições que compõem o cluster vinícola do Vale dos Vinhedos, região serrana do Rio Grande do Sul, responsável por aproximadamente 90% da produção nacional de vinhos. Foi utilizado o método de redes sociais. Como principais resultados, destacam-se: o fluxo de informação tem dinâmica distinta daquela do fluxo de conhecimento tecnológico estabelecido entre as firmas; essas desempenham diferentes papéis cognitivos na rede de conhecimento tecnológico identificada; grande parte das conexões estabelecidas é com empresas do próprio cluster; e é intensa a busca de conhecimento nas instituições de apoio existentes no local, destacando a importância da proximidade geográfica nas relações estabelecidas.

Abstract: This study aims to analyze technological knowledge and information flows intra and extra-cluster, as well as the cognitive roles the firms play. It was decided to investigate such flows among firms and institutions that compose the wine cluster of Vale dos Vinhedos, mountain region of Rio Grande do Sul, responsible for approximately 90% of the national wine production. The social network method was used for this article. As main results, it is highlighted: the information flow has a distinct dynamic from the technological knowledge flow established among firms; they play different cognitive roles in the identified technological knowledge network; great part of the connections established is with companies from the cluster itself; and the search for knowledge in support institutions in the area is intense, highlighting the importance of geographical proximity in the established relations.