Entrepreneurial Innovation Capital in Gen Z Education #worldresearchawards #researchawards #intawards

The Power of Entrepreneurial Innovation Capital in Higher Education

Entrepreneurship education is no longer just about teaching students how to start a business. In today’s rapidly evolving world—shaped by digital disruption, artificial intelligence, sustainability pressures, and limited social resources—universities must prepare students to innovate, adapt, and lead systemic change.

This challenge is particularly significant in emerging economies, where digital divides, weak university–industry collaboration, and institutional constraints can limit innovation readiness. To remain competitive and inclusive, higher education institutions must rethink how they cultivate entrepreneurial capacity among Generation Z.

Why Generation Z Matters

Generation Z students are digital natives. They are comfortable with technology, socially conscious, and highly adaptive. However, digital familiarity alone does not automatically translate into entrepreneurial readiness. What matters is how universities convert digital exposure into structured innovation capability.

Our study, based on survey data from 832 university students in Indonesia, explores how four critical factors shape entrepreneurial readiness for innovation:  

• Digital innovation competence

• AI-enabled entrepreneurial capability

• Sustainable innovation mindset

• Entrepreneurial social capital

Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we found that all four factors significantly influence innovation readiness.

The Role of Innovation Adoption Dynamics

A key finding of the research is the mediating role of innovation adoption dynamics. Simply put, students must not only possess skills and resources—they must also be willing and able to adopt and apply innovative practices.

Innovation adoption acts as the bridge between capability and readiness. Without adoption, competence remains potential. With adoption, it becomes transformation.

Introducing Entrepreneurial Innovation Capital

The study introduces a new integrative concept: Entrepreneurial Innovation Capital.

This construct combines four essential dimensions:

1. Technological capital (digital and AI competence)

2. Cognitive capital (entrepreneurial thinking and adaptability)

3. Sustainability capital (long-term value orientation)

4. Social capital (networks, collaboration, trust)

Together, these elements form a transformational resource that helps overcome structural barriers in emerging economies.

Rather than treating digital skills, sustainability awareness, and networking as separate elements, entrepreneurial innovation capital positions them as an interconnected ecosystem of readiness.

Theoretical Contributions

This research extends multiple theoretical frameworks within entrepreneurship education:

• Diffusion of Innovation Theory

• Human Capital Theory

• Experiential Learning Theory

• Job Demands–Resources Model

• Social Capital Theory

By integrating these perspectives, the study provides a comprehensive model explaining how innovation readiness develops in higher education contexts.

Practical Implications for Universities and Policymakers

The findings send a clear message:

Universities must move beyond traditional entrepreneurship curricula.

To strengthen innovation readiness, institutions should:

• Integrate AI and digital entrepreneurship training

• Embed sustainability into innovation courses

• Promote experiential and project-based learning

• Build stronger academic–industry collaboration ecosystems

• Encourage interdisciplinary innovation labs

Policymakers should also support digital infrastructure development and collaborative innovation networks, particularly in emerging economies.

A Global Imperative

Entrepreneurial innovation capital is not just relevant for Indonesia or Southeast Asia. It is a global necessity.

As economies transition toward digital and sustainable futures, higher education must serve as the catalyst for innovation transformation. Preparing Generation Z for entrepreneurship means equipping them not only with knowledge—but with the integrated capital required to innovate under uncertainty.

The future of entrepreneurship education lies in cultivating innovation readiness, not just business creation.