From Science, Technology and Innovation to Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Indicators’ Framework for the Academic Promotion with Impact on Socio-Economic Development

Abstract

Science, Technology and Innovation research and development publications are not the entire picture of promotional indicators for an academic. We live in the era of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship whereby issues of socio-economic development are vital. In this regard, the notion of promoting academics based on their length of service and number of research publications as promotion indicators should be a thing of the past. This paper uses secondary data to explore the indicators that are used for academic promotion at the South Africa universities; then proposes the indicators for academic promotional purposes. It uses those indicators to contribute a framework for the promotion of socio-economic development by academics. It concludes by proposing a two-way approach in an academic promotion namely: promotion focusing on (i) research and development, community engagement, and teaching components; and (ii) teaching, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Qualifications (Q), Work/Teaching experience (T), Research and Development experience (R), Community Engagement experience (C), and Professional Bodies Membership (P). The latter indicator forms the QTRCP indicator framework.

Keywords: Academic promotion; Indicators; Science; Technology and Innovation; Creativity; innovation and entrepreneurship