RE-ENGINEERING BUSINESS EDUCATION CURRICULUM FOR PROACTIVE RESPONSE TO INDUSTRY 4.0 IN NIGERIA
Abstract
The advent of Industry 4.0, marked by advancements in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and automation, is fundamentally transforming global business landscapes. In Nigeria, the current Business Education curriculum requires significant re-engineering to align with these technological shifts and equip graduates with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. This paper explores strategies for updating the Business Education curriculum to proactively respond to Industry 4.0 in Nigeria. Key recommendations include the integration of digital literacy and emerging technologies, the emphasis on data analytics and decision-making skills, and the fostering of interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, the paper advocates for promoting an entrepreneurial mindset, updating pedagogical approaches to include project-based learning, and enhancing industry-academia collaboration. Continuous curriculum review processes, the development of soft skills, and an emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices are also highlighted as essential components of a re-engineered curriculum. The proposed curriculum changes aim to produce graduates who are not only technically proficient but also adaptable, innovative, and capable of leading in a dynamic business environment. By aligning Business Education with the demands of Industry 4.0, Nigeria can better prepare its workforce to contribute to national development and compete in the global economy. This paper provides a framework for educators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to collaboratively develop a curriculum that meets the challenges of the 21st century.
Keywords: Re-Engineering, Business Education, Curriculum, Industry 4.0, Nigeria
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Agarwal, H. & Agarwal, R. (2017). First Industrial Revolution and Second Industrial Revolution: Technological differences and the differences in banking and financing of the firms. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(11), 1062-1066.
Alsedrah, M.K. (2017). Artificial Intelligence. American University of the Middle East.
Bals, L., Kirchoff, J. F., & Foerstl, K. (2019). Exploring the reshoring and insourcing decision-making process: Toward an agenda for future research. Operations Management Research, 12(3-4), 1-8.
Caleb & Israel, 2021). Caleb, E. & Israel, E. (2021). The Fourth Industrial Technology Driven Curriculum: Drivers of Educational Reforms and Policy Implications for the Nigerian Educational System. Babcock University Journal of Education (BUJED), 8(1), 16-23.
Chow-Miller, I. (2018). Project Learning with 3D Printing: How Does 3D Printing Work? Cavendish Square.
David, S. & Egbeyemi, G. A. (2023). Motivating business education teachers for effective classroom performance. Al-Hikmah Journal of Business Education, 3(1) 76-80.
De Mauro, A., Greco, M. & Grimaldi, M. (2015). What is big data? A consensual definition and a review of key research topics. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1644:97. Available at: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4907823. (Accessed on 20 August 2023).
De Saulles, M. (2017). The Internet of Things and Business. Routledge.
Eisenberg, M. (2013). 3D printing for children: What to build next? International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 1(1), 7-13.
Elkington, J. (1998). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. New Society Publishers.
Erboz, G. (2017). How to Define Industry 4.0: The Main Pillars of Industry 4.0. Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Management (ICoM 2017), At Nitra, Slovakia, 1–2 June.
Fisk, P. (2017). Gamechangers: Creating innovative strategies for business and brands. Wiley.
Gartner.com. (2016). IT Glossary. Available at: https://www.gartner.com/it-glossary/ (Accessed on 24 August 2023).
Hisrich, R. D., Peters, M. P. & Shepherd, D. A. (2013). Entrepreneurship. McGraw-Hill Education.
IBM. (2019). What is Quantum Computing? Available at: https://www.research.ibm.com/ibm-q/learn/what-isquantum-computing/ (Accessed on 24 August 2023).
Ionescu, I. (2018). The First Industrial Revolution and general features of the world economy between the 16th century and 1780. SEA Practical Application of Science, 6(17), 183-186.
Karabegovi, I. & Husak, E. (2018). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the role of industrial robots with focus on China. Journal of Engineering and Architecture, 6(1), 67-75.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
Lee, T. T. B., Duc, N. H., Gleason, N. W., Hai, D. T. & Tam, N. D. (2018). Approaches in Developing Undergraduate IT Engineering Curriculum for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Malaysia and Vietnam. Creative Education, 9, 2752-2772. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2018.916207.
Marope, M. (2017). Reconceptualizing and Repositioning Curriculum in the 21st Century. A Global Paradigm Shift. International Bureau of Education. Paris: UNESCO.
Marr, B. (2019). Artificial intelligence in practice: How 50 successful companies used AI and machine learning to solve problems. Wiley.
Marshall, S. (2016). Technological innovation of higher education in New Zealand: A wicked problem? Studies in Higher Education, 41(2), 288-301.
Microsoft. (2019). What is Quantum Computing? Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/quantum/what-is-quantum-computing. (Accessed on 24 August 2023).
Ndung’u, N. & Landry, S. (2020). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and digitization will transform Africa into a global powerhouse. Foresight Africa. Available at https://www.brookings.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2020/01/ForesightAfrica2020_Chapter5_20200110.pdf.
Udu, C.S., Oguegbulu, E. & Ogbuagu, N. (2015). Creativity and innovation in business education. ASPROAEDU, 1(1), 1-8.
Perez, J.A., Deligianni, F., Ravi, D. & Yang, G.Z. (2018). Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. UK-RAS Network.
Roberts, B.H. (2015). The Third Industrial Revolution: Implications for Planning Cities and Regions. Urban Frontiers Working Paper. Urban Frontiers.
Schwab, K. (2016). The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum.
Senge, P. M. (2006). The Fifth Discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. Currency.
Skilton, M. and Hovsepian, F. (2018). The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Responding to the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business. Palgrave Macmillan.
Spöttl, G. & Windelband, L. (2021). The 4th industrial revolution its impact on vocational skills, Journal of Education and Work, 34(1), 29-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2020.1858230.
Stearns, P.N. (2018). The Industrial Revolution in World History. (4th ed.). Routledge.
Stuart, R. (2004). Leadership in organizations. Prentice-Hall.
Taylor-Sakyi, K. (2016). Big Data: Understanding Big Data. Available at: https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1601/1601.04602.pdf. (Accessed on 24 August 2023).
Valdez-DeLeon, O. (2019). The digital transformation of business models: A framework for success. Journal of Business Strategy, 40(6), 12-19.
Vries, P. (2008). Encyclopaedia of the Modern World. Vol. 4. Oxford University Press.
Weber, R. H. (2010). Internet of Things–New security and privacy challenges. Computer Law & Security Review, 26(1), 23-30.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright © 2018 -2024. The Nigerian Journal of Business Education (NIGJBED) All Rights Reserved.Â
ISSN: 2408-4816 (PRINT) |Â ISSN: 2756-5912 (ONLINE)