The entrepreneurial orientation of academia for the future of South African higher education institutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20853/40-1-6504Keywords:
academia, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreuneurship education, higher education institutions, student centred teachingAbstract
Research on the entrepreneurial orientation of academia in South African higher education institutions (HEIs) is limited. This article explores how entrepreneurial orientation can be embedded within academia to cultivate an enterprising culture, addressing existing deficiencies in current academic practices and preparing both HEIs and graduates for the job market. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist approach, the study employed a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, involving the systematic collection, appraisal and integration of secondary data sourced from journal articles focusing on the entrepreneurial orientation of academia in higher education. The findings identified several challenges to embedding entrepreneurial orientation in academia, including limited funding, institutional bureaucracies and insufficient industry-academia collaboration. These challenges were counterbalanced by clear benefits, such as greater adaptability, improved employability of students and contributions to economic growth. The findings suggest that incorporating new educational strategies and strengthening industry partnerships could lead to more relevant and adaptable academic programmes while encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit among students and faculty. Policy recommendations include the introduction of clear incentives for HEIs to engage in entrepreneurial activities, the development of policies to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, and the integration of entrepreneurial thinking into curricula. Future research should incorporate primary data collection methods, including in-depth interviews with HEI stakeholders and case studies within South African universities, to validate and expand on these findings.
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