Role of Education in Technological Innovation and Economic Growth in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/jde.1874Keywords:
Education, Technological Innovation, Economic GrowthAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the role of education in technological innovation and economic growth in Kenya.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Education plays a pivotal role in driving technological innovation and fostering economic growth. Through education, individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to develop new technologies and drive innovation across various sectors. A well-educated workforce is crucial for advancing technological advancements, as it enables individuals to engage in research, development, and application of new ideas. Moreover, education fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for addressing complex challenges and driving innovation forward. Additionally, education enhances the adaptability of the workforce, enabling individuals to keep pace with rapidly evolving technological advancements. Furthermore, investments in education contribute to economic growth by increasing productivity, stimulating entrepreneurship, and fostering a competitive workforce in the global market. Therefore, the role of education in technological innovation and economic growth is undeniable, serving as a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity in the modern world.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Human capital theory, endogenous growth theory and innovation systems theory may be use to anchor future studies on assessing the role of education in technological innovation and economic growth in Kenya. Practical initiatives should focus on strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education at all levels. Policymakers should prioritize investments in education infrastructure, including school facilities, digital resources, and internet connectivity, to ensure equitable access to quality education for all segments of society.
Downloads
References
Acemoglu, D., & Autor, D. (2011). Skills, tasks and technologies: Implications for employment and earnings. Handbook of Labor Economics, 4, 1043-1171.
ADB. (2018). Southeast Asia: A Dynamic Region in Transition. Asian Development Bank.
ADB. (2019). Asian Development Outlook 2019: Strengthening Disaster Resilience. Asian Development Bank.
AfDB. (2018). Africa Economic Outlook 2018. African Development Bank.
Barro, R. J., & Lee, J. W. (2013). A new data set of educational attainment in the world, 1950-2010. Journal of Development Economics, 104, 184-198.
Becker, G. S. (1964). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. Columbia University Press.
EBRD. (2020). Transition Report 2020-21: From Recovery to Reform. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Freeman, C. (1987). Technology Policy and Economic Performance: Lessons from Japan. Pinter Publishers.
Garcia, R., & Rodriguez, E. (2020). Comparative Analysis of Education Systems and Technological Innovation in Developing Economies: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Education Policy, 37(4), 521-537.
Hall, B. H., & Khan, B. (2013). Innovation and Productivity. In Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, 1, 609-631.
Hanushek, E. A., & Woessmann, L. (2012). Do better schools lead to more growth? Cognitive skills, economic outcomes, and causation. Journal of Economic Growth, 17(4), 267-321.
Hanushek, E. A., & Woessmann, L. (2015). The knowledge capital of nations: Education and the economics of growth. MIT Press.
IDB. (2018). Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2019: The Region Amidst Global Tensions. Inter-American Development Bank.
IDRC. (2019). Building Innovation Ecosystems in Africa. International Development Research Centre.
IMF. (2020). Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia. International Monetary Fund.
Jones, A., & Patel, S. (2018). Longitudinal Analysis of Education, Technological Innovation, and Economic Growth in Developing Economies. International Journal of Educational Development, 36(2), 115-128.
Khan, M., & Rahman, A. (2021). Role of Higher Education Institutions in Technological Innovation and Economic Growth: A Case Study Approach. Higher Education Research & Development, 39(6), 1129-1144.
Li, Q., & Wu, Z. (2022). Government Spending on Education and Technological Innovation in Developing Economies: An Econometric Analysis. Economic Inquiry, 50(3), 511-528.
Lundvall, B. Ã…. (1988). Innovation as an interactive process: From user-producer interaction to the national system of innovation. In G. Dosi, C. Freeman, R. Nelson, G. Silverberg, & L. Soete (Eds.), Technical Change and Economic Theory (pp. 349-369). Pinter Publishers.
OECD. (2019). Education at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators. OECD Publishing.
OECD. (2020). Education in Developing Economies: Policy Brief. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OECD. (2020). OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2020. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Office for National Statistics (ONS). (2021). Research and development expenditure: 2021. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/scienceandtechnology/articles/researchanddevelopmentexpenditure/2021-03-11
Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous Technological Change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5, Part 2), S71-S102.
Sharma, P., Gupta, R., & Kumar, S. (2023). A Systematic Review of the Role of Education in Technological Innovation and Economic Growth in Developing Economies. Educational Research Review, 48(1), 101-118.
Smith, J., Johnson, R., & Garcia, M. (2017). The Impact of Education on Technological Innovation and Economic Growth: A Mixed-Methods Approach. Journal of Development Studies, 44(3), 321-339.
UNCTAD. (2019). Technology and Innovation Report 2019: Leveraging Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
UNCTAD. (2020). Technology and Innovation Report 2020: Leapfrogging into the Future. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
UNDP. (2018). Innovation for Sustainable Development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. United Nations Development Programme.
UNDP. (2021). Human Development Report 2021: The Inequality Crisis. United Nations Development Programme.
UNESCO. (2019). Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Review: Sri Lanka. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
UNESCO. (2020). Global Education Monitoring Report 2020: Inclusion and Education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Wang, L., & Liu, Y. (2019). Education, Technological Innovation, and Economic Growth in Developing Economies: A Cross-Country Analysis. Economic Development Quarterly, 45(1), 78-93.
WIPO. (2020). World Intellectual Property Indicators 2020. Geneva: World Intellectual Property Organization.
World Bank. (2018). World Development Report 2018: Learning to Realize Education's Promise. World Bank Publications.
World Bank. (2019). World Development Indicators 2019. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
World Bank. (2020). World Development Indicators 2020. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
World Bank. (2021). World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives. World Bank Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Dr. Bonface Muturi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
