Knowledge transfer: Graduates’ capability to demonstrate and produce business innovation

Background: The age of information has given rise to the demand for higher education institutions (HEIs) to produce graduates capable of producing innovation and ultimately contribute to improving the South African (SA) economy. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine whether graduates who enter the business environment demonstrate the knowledge and capability to produce business innovation through knowledge and skills acquired in HEIs. Method: An online questionnaire, was used to collect data from 69 of the 100 participants from the South African Business Innovation Community (Innovation Summit) (SABIC) and the Innovation, Sustainability and Visionary Leadership Group (ISVL). The demography ranged from company representatives, government representatives, entrepreneurs, academics, etc. Data were collected were analysed through inferential statistical analysis with the support from Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Based on the findings, an equal distribution exists between seldom and often, which indicates tension about whether graduates seldomly demonstrated the ability to produce effective business innovation or whether they often demonstrated the ability to produce business innovation. Conclusion: Higher education institutions play a vital role in preparing graduates for the world of work by transferring knowledge. It is therefore significant for HEI’s to transfer knowledge and skills that improve graduates’ capability to innovate, think critically and solve complex problems and contribute to the SA economy. Contribution: Given the state of youth unemployment there is a need for universities to produce graduates capable of effective innovation. This article focused on determining whether graduates possess the knowledge and capability to produce business innovation from the knowledge and skills transferred by HEIs.