April 2018

In two brand new briefing papers, researchers from the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators at the Human Sciences Research Council investigate firm-level awareness of public funding for innovation in the manufacturing and services sectors.

The Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) is a statistical and policy research institute based at South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

CeSTII performs national surveys that underpin benchmarking, planning and reporting on R&D, innovation and technology transfer in South Africa, including the South African Business Innovation Survey 2014-2016.

Our Research Briefs are concise papers based our ongoing work. Their goal? To provide empirical evidence and informed opinion that policy- and decision-makers can use to strengthen the quality of their thinking and action.

ResearchBrief1_V7.indd

Research Brief No. 1*

‘CAN GOVERNMENT STIMULATE INNOVATION THROUGH PUBLIC FUNDING AND PROCUREMENT? WHAT SOUTH AFRICAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS SAY’

Authors: Glenda Kruss, Moses Sithole, Cheryl Moses and Hlamulo Makelane

ResearchBrief2_V3.indd

Research Brief No. 2*

‘CAN GOVERNMENT STIMULATE INNOVATION THROUGH PUBLIC FUNDING AND PROCUREMENT? WHAT SOUTH AFRICAN SERVICES FIRMS SAY’

Authors: Glenda Kruss, Moses Sithole and Cheryl Moses

*Data presented in these papers is drawn from the South African Business Innovation Survey 2010-2012. Research Briefs No. 1 and No. 2 were first published in April 2018.

Full Report: Innovation in the South African Manufacturing Sector, 2010-2012

Full Report: Innovation in Selected South African Services Sectors, 2010-2012

Some government mechanisms in support of innovation in South Africa

The South African government invests a significant amount of effort into supporting innovation in the South African business sector. This support can either be financial in nature or through support programmes that make access to other resources easier. Given the right support from government, we should expect business to be better positioned to take their innovations further. We report on the extent to which firms access this funding, if they benefit in other ways, and detail the reasons why they do not access public funding. – Kruss, et al (2018)

Large-scale disruption and fast-changing competitive patterns are a norm in today’s economic landscape. Innovation is a bedrock of successful firms and economies. In this context, firms not only draw from their internal resources but also draw from actors in their external environments, including industry associations, universities, consultants, and governments. Industry associations, in particular, already play a pivotal role in supporting firms to adapt to new trends through the support they offer to their members. How can this support be enhanced?

InnovationDay_BannerImage_V1 [2160x1080px] — A collaboration of the **Department of Science and Technology**, and the **Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators of the Human Sciences Research Council** and **Business Unity South Africa**, the Industry Associations Innovation Day 2018 will take place at The Canvas Riversands, Fourways, on 25 May 2018.

The Industry Associations Innovation Day 2018 is envisaged to facilitate a dialogue between industry association leaders across the range of sectors, thought leaders, researchers, and government, as well as encounter case studies, on how some industry associations are tackling the innovation question with and for their membership.

Register now

The Canvas Riversands

Download one-page invitation you can share around*

On the agenda*

*Note: The agenda has been updated to include speakers from the National Business Initiative, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Information Technology Association of South Africa

REGISTRATION (08h30-09h00)

WELCOME: Joanne Yawitch, CEO: National Business Initiative

KEYNOTE: Innovation, government and Industry 4.0: South Africa’s policy vision, Imraan Patel, Deputy-Director General, Department of Science and Technology

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PANEL: The trends we can’t afford to ignore anymore, and what businesses can do about them… Themba Maseko, Business Leadership South Africa (Moderator), Etienne Vlok, Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union, Nonkululeko Shinga, Department of Trade and Industry, Mike Colley, Institute for Futures Research

EVIDENCE PRESENTATION: How much R&D and innovation goes on in South Africa, and how we know this, Dr Glenda Kruss, Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, Human Sciences Research Council

BREAK (10h45-11h00)

PRACTICE LEADERSHIP PANEL: What industry associations can do to support an innovation agenda, Henra Mayer, Innocentrix (Moderator), Dr John Purchase, Agricultural Business Chamber, Brenda Martin, South African Wind Energy Association, Philippa Rodseth, Manufacturing Circle, Sunil Geness, Information Technology Association of South Africa

INFORMATION PRESENTATION:

How government supports innovation, Godfrey Mashamba, Department of Science and Technology
How industry/businesses can leverage CSIR platforms for innovation, Kobus Roux, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

LUNCH AND NETWORKING (13h00-14h00)