Strategic Innovation by Design in Dual Higher Education
I am delighted to share the publication of my latest peer-reviewed journal article in the European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education (ESJ DHE):
Strategic Innovation by Design in Dual Higher Education: Embedding Ethical, Sustainable Leadership Through Work-Integrated Postgraduate Learning
The article explores an increasingly important question:
How can higher education develop leaders who are capable of navigating sustainability challenges, digital transformation, ethical complexity, and rapidly changing stakeholder expectations?
Organisations today operate in environments characterised by technological disruption, artificial intelligence, sustainability transitions, and increasing societal expectations of responsible leadership. Technical expertise alone is no longer sufficient. Leaders increasingly require:• Strategic innovation capability
• Ethical decision-making skills
• Systems thinking
• Stakeholder engagement capabilities
• Adaptability and resilience
• The ability to create responsible and sustainable forms of innovation.
These capabilities, often referred to as Future Skills, are becoming essential for organisations seeking long-term competitiveness and societal relevance.
Introducting the PBEE™️ framework
- The paper introduces the PBEE™ Framework (Perception – Blueprint – Envision – Execution), a design-led approach developed to support innovation capability and responsible leadership development.
-
PBEE provides a structured process that guides learners and organisations through four interconnected stages:
Possiblity is everywhere
Perception, Understanding context, stakeholders, challenges, and opportunities.
Blueprint, Framing problems through systems thinking and identifying strategic priorities.
Envision, Developing innovative ideas while considering ethical, social, and sustainability implications.
Execution, Implementing solutions through reflective, responsible, and context-sensitive action.
Rather than treating innovation as purely technological or commercially driven, PBEE™️ encourages leaders to consider broader organisational and societal consequences when developing new ideas and strategies.
The role of work integrated learning
The research draws on practice-based insights from the Sustainable Design for Innovation (SDI) module, delivered within MBA postgraduate education.
The study demonstrates how work-integrated learning can enable students to:
• Apply theory directly within their organisations.
• Address authentic business and societal challenges.
• Develop leadership capability through real projects.
• Build confidence in managing complexity and uncertainty.
• Strengthen ethical awareness and stakeholder engagement.
A Contribution to Responsible Innovation and Dual Higher Education
The paper contributes to emerging discussions surrounding:
• Responsible Innovation
• Design Thinking
• Work-Integrated Learning
• Dual Higher Education
• Ethical Leadership
• Sustainability Education
• Future Skills Development
• Innovation Capability Building
It also illustrates how design-led pedagogical approaches can help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice while supporting transformational learning experiences.
Read the Full Article
The full peer-reviewed article is available through the European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education:
Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.82321/01dhbw-24m65
Importantly, the findings suggest that responsible innovation can be developed not only through theoretical teaching but also through carefully designed, experiential learning environments.
If you'd like to discuss any of this further, or if your team is considering exploring ways to innovate responsibly and sustainably, get in touch. info@tbf.ie.
