Entrepreneurial actions are based on certain principles and prevailing decision-making logic. Effectual and causal reasoning are considered to be among the essential tools explaining the entrepreneurial strategy and outcomes. The present research explores the link between the applied effectuation principles, gender of the leader and SMEs financial and innovative functioning.

The policy paper considers prerequisites and factors conditioning the development of entrepreneneurial higher education institutions (universities 3.0) in Belarus. Capitalizing on state-of-the-art academic research and policy initiatives in the field, as well as on the custom-made survey of Belarusian faculty members, the paper analyses the environment for higher education institutions' modernization and provides policy recommendations.

There is a paucity of knowledge on research commercialization by university scientists worldwide. The objective of this paper is to identify the role that Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and direct Industrial Funding play in university research commercialization in transition economies of Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan during 2015–2017.

This policy paper looks at who are women in Belarus’ business, are there any gender differences that impact on the effectiveness and successfulness of business. The study also analyses the external and internal factors that impede business development and motives to enter business. The main barriers that face women entrepreneurs are related to the quality of the functioning entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, equally important role is played by the preservation of the traditional division of social roles in terms of household work and childcare sharing. As the results show, the majority of female business owners no longer perceive as a norm the current state of affairs.

Although the government’s plans to raise foreign financing were fulfilled, the results of 2017 were ambiguous in this respect. The private sector and, especially, hi-tech startups generated investors’ profound interest. Investments in the public sector were provided by the state through external borrowing and redistribution of funds raised this way. The public sector thus remains unattractive for investors, but, in fact, it seeks state subsides, rather than investments. In 2017, the government took a number of important steps to improve the regulatory framework for investment and to stimulate business ventures.

Foreign Investment: Startups and Innovations or Loans

We have conducted the number of interviews with female entrepreneurs and top managers of Belarusian companies.