Identification and Strategic Planning for Entrepreneurship Skills of Biotechnology Graduates Case Study: Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

Abstract

Objective Biotechnology is one of the most important technologies in particular novelty ones that has many applications in entrepreneurship and knowledge-based businesses. Yet, because of not equipping biotechnology graduates with entrepreneurial skills being one of the important reasons, the process of transferring knowledge from universities to industries unfortunately is too weak. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is identification and strategic planning of the entrepreneurship skills, which are essential for biotechnology graduates to promote their abilities and then entering to the labor market. Materials and methods The data collection method has been documentary and survey and the tool used in the survey method was a questionnaire, as 22 questionnaires were analyzed which completed by biotechnology experts in Kerman province. Analytical Hierarchy process (AHP) was used to prioritize the main dimensions and indicators of each dimension. Then, to comprehensively review and strategically plan for developing the entrepreneurial skills of biotechnology students, the SWOT technique utilized. Results Based on experts’ opinions, the results showed that technical skills had been the most prominent and entrepreneurial, managerial and personal maturity skills were placed in the next priorities, respectively. Investigating the result of the internal and external factors matrix demonstrated that contingent and competitive strategies had been the appropriate ones for biotechnology students to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities. Conclusions Considering that higher education has an important role in equipping graduates with different dimensions of entrepreneurial skills, universities can play a vital role in developing the entrepreneurial skills of graduates by identifying internal and external factors affecting entrepreneurship. As a result, it is necessary that policy makers and planners pay special attention to the importance of curriculum improvement, use of applied content and personal skills development; additionally, they must create a suitable environment for students in order to increase entrepreneurial opportunities in society and industry.

Keywords

• entrepreneurship skill
• higher education
• biotechnology
• analytic hierarchy process
• swot analysis