Ingram, Keisha Laraine

The impact of the higher education policy on the development of human-centric innovation ecosystems is evaluated in this dissertation, thus addressing the need evolving to support the management and strategic use of human-centric innovation ecosystems to strengthen the competitiveness of the higher education sector. Empirically testing the relevance and correctness of the developed conceptual theoretical framework of human-centric innovation ecosystems as a strategic resource, suitably assesses human-centered type innovation through the human capital possessing higher education. Human-centric innovation ecosystem was evaluated qualitatively according to how it serves the purpose of the higher education sector as a strategic resource aligned with the objectives, missions and functions of its stakeholders and beneficiaries. This dissertation defends that: 1. Applying human-centric innovation ecosystems effects cooperation networks through the strategies developed; 2. Human-centric innovation ecosystems supports a harmonious ecosystem environment in the higher education sector; 3. Using human-centric innovation ecosystems makes visible qualitative tools to measure the tangible outcomes of the higher education sector contribution to innovation in the knowledge and commercial economies; 4. The quality assurance indicators set by the higher education sector for monitoring human-centric innovation ecosystem discloses its levels of input value to the knowledge and commercial economies.