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Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions

Received: 6 December 2022    Accepted: 27 December 2022    Published: 30 January 2023
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Abstract

This paper examines the role that Openness in Communication (OPCOM) plays in the acquisition and exploitation of new knowledge across faculties and departments of the higher education institution (HEI) community for Innovation Generation (INNG). Using the survey research design, data was collected from 282 lecturers purposively selected from the Business Schools of 20 HEIs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. In testing the hypotheses proposed for the study, the data were analyzed using the Smart Partial Least Squares approach to structural equation modelling. The results revealed that OPCOM is important for the acquisition, sharing and transfer of knowledge in HEIs and has a mediation effect between knowledge acquisition and the generation of innovations. Even though the academic community is typically individualistic, mutual interest between academics can be stimulated if various platforms and open communication forums are established for the exchange and sharing of ideas, knowledge and opinions. HEIs need to invest resources and efforts at building strong relationships that facilitate collaboration, trust and interactions among varying faculties, departments and units. This will facilitate the easy sharing new knowledge to help innovate new products such as improved curricula, enhanced academic instruction and quality research output for the university to sustain their relevance and competitive advantage.

Published in Education Journal (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12
Page(s) 15-24
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Absorptive Capacity, Knowledge Acquisition, Openness in Communication, Innovation Generation, Higher Education Institution

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  • APA Style

    Mercy Asaa Asiedu, Jesse Kwaku Doe. (2023). Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions. Education Journal, 12(1), 15-24. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12

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    ACS Style

    Mercy Asaa Asiedu; Jesse Kwaku Doe. Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions. Educ. J. 2023, 12(1), 15-24. doi: 10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12

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    AMA Style

    Mercy Asaa Asiedu, Jesse Kwaku Doe. Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions. Educ J. 2023;12(1):15-24. doi: 10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12,
      author = {Mercy Asaa Asiedu and Jesse Kwaku Doe},
      title = {Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions},
      journal = {Education Journal},
      volume = {12},
      number = {1},
      pages = {15-24},
      doi = {10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.edu.20231201.12},
      abstract = {This paper examines the role that Openness in Communication (OPCOM) plays in the acquisition and exploitation of new knowledge across faculties and departments of the higher education institution (HEI) community for Innovation Generation (INNG). Using the survey research design, data was collected from 282 lecturers purposively selected from the Business Schools of 20 HEIs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. In testing the hypotheses proposed for the study, the data were analyzed using the Smart Partial Least Squares approach to structural equation modelling. The results revealed that OPCOM is important for the acquisition, sharing and transfer of knowledge in HEIs and has a mediation effect between knowledge acquisition and the generation of innovations. Even though the academic community is typically individualistic, mutual interest between academics can be stimulated if various platforms and open communication forums are established for the exchange and sharing of ideas, knowledge and opinions. HEIs need to invest resources and efforts at building strong relationships that facilitate collaboration, trust and interactions among varying faculties, departments and units. This will facilitate the easy sharing new knowledge to help innovate new products such as improved curricula, enhanced academic instruction and quality research output for the university to sustain their relevance and competitive advantage.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    T1  - Role of Openness in Communication in the Absorptive Capacity and Innovation Generation Link in Higher Education Institutions
    AU  - Mercy Asaa Asiedu
    AU  - Jesse Kwaku Doe
    Y1  - 2023/01/30
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12
    T2  - Education Journal
    JF  - Education Journal
    JO  - Education Journal
    SP  - 15
    EP  - 24
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2619
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20231201.12
    AB  - This paper examines the role that Openness in Communication (OPCOM) plays in the acquisition and exploitation of new knowledge across faculties and departments of the higher education institution (HEI) community for Innovation Generation (INNG). Using the survey research design, data was collected from 282 lecturers purposively selected from the Business Schools of 20 HEIs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. In testing the hypotheses proposed for the study, the data were analyzed using the Smart Partial Least Squares approach to structural equation modelling. The results revealed that OPCOM is important for the acquisition, sharing and transfer of knowledge in HEIs and has a mediation effect between knowledge acquisition and the generation of innovations. Even though the academic community is typically individualistic, mutual interest between academics can be stimulated if various platforms and open communication forums are established for the exchange and sharing of ideas, knowledge and opinions. HEIs need to invest resources and efforts at building strong relationships that facilitate collaboration, trust and interactions among varying faculties, departments and units. This will facilitate the easy sharing new knowledge to help innovate new products such as improved curricula, enhanced academic instruction and quality research output for the university to sustain their relevance and competitive advantage.
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Author Information
  • Department of Management, Graduate School of Management, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

  • College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

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