Developing pervasive skills in higher education : reflecting on an evolutionary journey / Henrico Alfred

Abstract

Managers develop and implement strategies to obtain a competitive advantage in the markets they are operating in. A competitive advantage can only be sustained until rival businesses can imitate or replicate the sources of competitive advantage. The most difficult sources of competitive advantage to replicate or imitate are managers’ pervasive skill sets, including critical and creative thinking, logical thinking, problem-solving, business awareness, communication and teamwork skills. Pervasive skills development should receive more attention in higher education teaching and learning to align the needs of the working environment with the offering of higher education institutions. With my research, I invested in pervasive skills development in higher education. The simulative teaching strategy I developed equips graduates with the pervasive skills they need to contribute to the competitive intelligence and competitive advantage of their future employers.