Transforming higher education at the pinnacle of the knowledge economy: A management perspective from a South African university
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38140/ijms-2025.vol2.2.07Keywords:
Heads of departments, higher education, knowledge-economy, management perspectivesAbstract
South Africa is undergoing a profound economic transformation towards a knowledge-based economy, wherein the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge serve as central drivers of growth and development. This paper examines a management perspective within a South African university concerning the role of higher education in addressing the imperatives of the knowledge economy. Drawing on a qualitative participatory research design, data was collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed using narrative analysis. The findings revealed a consensus among Heads of Departments regarding the necessity of aligning higher education with the demands of the knowledge economy to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development. Heads of Departments acknowledge the need to re-imagine traditional models of teaching, learning, and research to cultivate the skills, competencies, and mindsets required for success in a knowledge-driven society. Moreover, they emphasise the importance of fostering partnerships with industry, government, and civil society to bridge the gap between academia and the broader knowledge economy ecosystem. Overall, the findings of this paper contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing higher education institutions in responding to the imperatives of the knowledge economy and offer insights into the strategies that Heads of Departments can employ to position their institutions for success in this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape.
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