Aspects Considered Relevant in Higher Education Curriculum to PRODUCE Business innovative Graduates

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been tasked with the responsibility to generate knowledge through research and educate students and PRODUCE graduates with the capability to innovate and develop business innovation through entrepreneurial teaching. Therefore, it is significant for a university to align itself with the needs of the industry to PRODUCE graduates with the capability to PRODUCE business innovation. The purpose of this research was to determine aspects considered relevant in the Higher Education curriculum to PRODUCE graduates ready to develop business innovation and become entrepreneurs. The mixed-method research approach was deemed suitable for this research, therefore both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews with 11 participants from the University of Johannesburg commercialisation units and an online questionnaire from 69 innovation experts from the South African Business Innovation Community (Innovation Summit), and the Innovation, Sustainability, and Visionary Leadership Group. The data collected was then analysed through descriptive content analysis and statistical analysis. This study is part of a PhD study completed in 2022 and only the results about the aspects considered relevant in the Higher Education curriculum to PRODUCE graduates ready to develop business innovation are presented and discussed. Based on the findings it is significant to note that aspects, such as creativity; originality and initiative; critical thinking and analysis; analytical thinking and innovation complex problem solving; and entrepreneurship are relevant and suitable for the university curriculum. In conclusion, more emphasis should be reflected in the Higher Education curriculum on these aspects mentioned above to PRODUCE graduates ready and capable of developing and producing business innovation. Higher Education Institutions should regularly implement interventions to improve their curriculum to best suit the needs of the industry or the business sector.