The Role of Technology Commercialisation in the Operationalisation of Innovation and Industrial Policies in South Africa (original) (raw)
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Innovation, and particularly technological innovation, has come to be recognised as the primary force driving economic growth and prosperity. In the last decade a number of national innovation surveys were conducted in South Africa to measure innovation with the aim of utilising the findings for policymaking. National surveys of innovation in South African were conducted in 1996, 2001, 2005 and 2008. These national innovation surveys were supplemented by more detailed sub-sector surveys that focused on particular sectors of interest, such as the defence related industries and the automotive component manufacturing sector. Survey research is a positivistic research methodology that provides a broad overview of the national system of innovation, but it does not provide a clear picture of innovative behaviour at the individual firm level. Case study research, being a phenomenological research methodology, has to augment our understanding of industrial innovation at the firm level. This...
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Despite South Africa's strong interest in making sure it takes a global position as a contributor to the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution, literature shows that very little has been done to examine South Africa's readiness. The present study critically explores the opportunities for South Africa to promote technology and economic activities in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. It weighs South Africa's readiness by examining the quality and quantity of the knowledge from both the demand and supply sides. Hence, science, technology & innovation (STI) as the main driver of the fourth industrial revolution was explored by analyzing South Africa's S&T Policy, Innovation System, Knowledge Systems, and Industrial Policy. The study concludes that despite South Africa's numerous challenges, it can significantly contribute to the fourth industrial revolution. However, this will require strong synergy/coordination among its financial, human, natural, and physical resources. Proven strategies that South Africa may adopt for the buildup of capabilities for the fourth industrial revolution include foreign direct investment inflows, trade of technology-intensive products, acquisition of external technologies, reserve engineering, and R&D consortia.
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Despite South Africa's strong interest in making sure it takes a global position as a contributor to the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution, literature shows that very little has been done to examine South Africa's readiness. The present study critically explores the opportunities for South Africa to promote technology and economic activities in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. It weighs South Africa's readiness by examining the quality and quantity of the knowledge from both the demand and supply sides. Hence, science, technology & innovation (STI) as the main driver of the fourth industrial revolution was explored by analyzing South Africa’s S&T Policy, Innovation System, Knowledge Systems, and Industrial Policy. The study concludes that despite South Africa's numerous challenges, it can significantly contribute to the fourth industrial revolution. However, this will require strong synergy/coordination among its financial, human, nat...