Source: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
ENHANCING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES VIA 4 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODEL: ECOSYSTEM APPROACH (4IR AND IBM)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031615
Grant No.
2024-70003-41600
Cumulative Award Amt.
$300,000.00
Proposal No.
2023-05255
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2024
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2026
Grant Year
2024
Program Code
[ER]- Higher Ed Challenge
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, robotics, block chain, and virtual reality) and innovative business models (e.g., Uber, Airbnb, and Bowery) fundamentally changed the way we do business and farm. Yet, our current preparations for our students do not keep abreast of these massive changes and associated business opportunities. To fill the educational gap, this project proposes various instructional tools and methods that can enhance entrepreneurship competencies of students, faculty and rural business communities via 4IR technologies and innovative business models (IBM), together with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.The proposed five objectives are designed with the aim of wider dissemination and sustainable impacts. The outcomes of Objective 1 (instructional modules) and Objective 2 (problem-solving service-learning projects) will be uploaded to an open educational resource (OER) platform (Pressbooks) which faculty and students can access at no cost (Objective 3). The OER will be effectively utilized for infusing the contents into existing courses and special topics classes (Objective 4) and faculty/Cooperative Extension professional workshops (Objective 5).To help potential adopters' continuous use of the deliverables, various support will be provided including an interactive support system (i.e., learning community) and implementation guides at the OER. For widespread dissemination, faculty from entire agriculture disciplines will be involved from the module development and the OER will be connected to Cooperative Extension Portal.This project effectively addresses the national challenge of the number and diversity of students by educating students enrolled in North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University where 88% of enrolled students are minorities. This study takes an ecosystem approach from farm to final consumers; therefore, the impacts and cooperation through the entire project period and beyond will be multidisciplinary.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
40%
Developmental
60%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
60262993100100%
Knowledge Area
602 - Business Management, Finance, and Taxation;

Subject Of Investigation
6299 - Marketing, general/other;

Field Of Science
3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
The proposed five objectives are designed with the aim of wider dissemination and sustainable impacts. The outcomes of Objective 1 (instructional modules) and Objective 2 (problem-solving service-learning projects) will be uploaded to an open educational resource (OER) platform (Pressbooks) which faculty and students can access at no cost (Objective 3). The OER will be effectively utilized for infusing the contents into existing courses and special topics classes (Objective 4) and faculty/Cooperative Extension professional workshops (Objective 5).
Project Methods
Five surveys will be used for assessment, involving PIs, a content specialist, an external instructional technology expert, students, faculty adopters, and business collaborators.

Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the team plans to develop an open educational resource (OER) platform using Pressbooks, incorporating the outcomes of Objectives 1 and 2 (Objective 3). The OER will be evaluated by an OER specialist before being used in a special topics class (Objective 4). Simultaneously, the developed educational modules will be integrated into all PI classes and revised based on student feedback and evaluation. To provide an interactive support system for potential adopters, facilitating successful implementation and ongoing use, the team will develop a learning community and connect it to the OER. Additionally, the team will promote the availability of the educational modules and OER to faculty across agricultural disciplines through faculty meetings, newsletters, and workshops. Students' knowledge of 4IR technologies and innovative business models will be assessed using pre- and post-test methods.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As proposed, the team has developed 10 instructional modules on 4IR technologies and innovative business models (IBMs) (Objective 1). Each module, consisting of PowerPoint lecture notes, class discussion questions, and case studies, was developed based on a thorough literature review and interviews when possible. Diverse media, including images, video clips, and embedded links to sources, have been incorporated to create interactive learning experiences. To ensure a variety of case studies, faculty across agricultural disciplines were contacted and their input was solicited. To develop problem-solving service-learning projects (Objective 2), the team engaged with small business owners and finalized four service-learning projects. Reflecting the diversity of sectors in agribusiness, four companies representing different industries, sizes, and levels of technology adoption were selected.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2024 Citation: Jones, D.S. (Oct 2024). Data-Driven Decisions in the Food-Water-Energy Nexus. 6th annual People Around the World (PAW) 2024 International Congress: Making a World of Difference. University of Saskatchewan (Keynote speech) Jones, D.S. (Oct 2024). AI in Energy. 8th Youth Energy Academy - NC Chapter of American Association of Blacks in Energy. Raleigh, NC.