INCENTIVES

On 25 May 2018, about 60 industry association leaders, government officials, researchers and entrepreneurs gathered at Gauteng’s Riversands Incubation Hub. On the agenda? Innovation, government and Industry 4.0. This post shares the final programme and speaker list, presentations and Tweets from @HSRC_CeSTII.

IAID — **Image credit:** Department of Science and Technology

Slides

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

How industry/businesses can leverage CSIR platforms for innovation – Kobus Roux, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

[Image credit: HSRC/CeSTII]

Tweets

[COMING UP TODAY] We’ll be tweeting live from about 9am from @RiversandsHub. Exciting lineup speakers and topics industry associations innovation Industry 4.0. @dstgovza @BusinessUnitySA @HSRCza @BizInnovationSA @Dsttviljoen @ManushaPillai #IAID2018 pic.twitter.com/Z4U0crwBYI

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Ok, we’re on… Joanne Yawitch from National Business Initiative underscores the importance of as a country, region and continent, where disruption happens on a daily basis and the issues it throws up are big.

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Yawitch: We need as SA to be looking in a focused way at the future of skills and future of work. We need to build the momentum for a more focused and dynamic partnership between government and the future of work. #IAID2018# @BusinessUnitySA @dstgovza @the_dti

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Deputy-Director General Department of Science and Technology Imraan Patel delivering the keynote address. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: SA has not yet crafted a policy vision for Industry 4.0. We are working on this! President Ramaphosa has established an advisory council. #IAID2018 @ResearchAfrica

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: SA is going through process of re-looking the 1996 White Paper. We need to strengthen the national system of innovation. We need a greater level of inclusion in the fruits of the innovation process. #IAD2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: Are we including people in rural areas in the fruits of the innovation process. Transformative change is key to our discussions of Industry 4.0 in SA. We need indicators of *positive* change. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: Japan doesn’t talk about Industry 4.0 but Society 5.0. The issues at stake are not just about disruption, but also how the rewards are shared. #IAID2018 @ifrafrica

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: If people around the world don’t have access to decent incomes, there is something amiss with models of disruption. #IAD2018 @Dsttviljoen

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: We need inclusion, transformative change, and transformation. But how do we set plans + priorities? This needs to be done in an inclusive way. The Decadal Plan is one way. We need understand private sector needs. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: In addition to engagement, we also need partnerships! We are complementing existing initiatives, e.g. THRIP, with need partnerships. E.g. Sector innovation funds. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: Our Sector Innovation Funds we want to expand… Also: We are working on the Next Generation Mining initiative – partnership Minerals Council SA and manufacturing sector, to reach reserves that are difficult to get to. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: The Mandela Mining Precint is a dynamic space for researchers, mining companies. Its goal? Transition to a new mining sector. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Patel: Coordination with other government departments is also a key focus for us within this plan. @dstgovza @dti #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Mike Colley: We have challenges in terms of anticipating crises in SA. We need to change our thinking – and this has to change at all levels. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Nonkululeko Shinga @the_dti: Both businesses and government need to get smart about working with data and interoperability between systems/machines. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Shinga: We have brilliant innovators in South Africa. We have the ability to innovate. But the challenges are at the level of absorption of #innovation + the uptake of research. We have world class research + science councils. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Shinga: We need to build a culture of collaboration and of information sharing. We often say there is a gap between government and business, and there are trust issues. But seminars like this help us to identify + share our needs. Industry needs to input into policy. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Shinga: One of the problems we have is that universities need to much more closely with industry, and visa versa. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Maseko: What are the bottlenecks / challenges when it comes to the linkages between government + business + universities + intermediaries? #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

From the floor… We need to look at the education & training system, in particular to inculcate a *quality* mindset. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

From the floor… We have lots of conceptual speak from government, but we need a action mindset, particularly where the ‘rubber meets the road’. Entrepreneurs are avoiding regulation! We need more pragmatism & culture of inclusivity #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

… How do we see better collaboration from @dstgovza @the_dti @DIRCO_ZA @pandor_naledi when it comes to Industry 4.0? We’re @RiversandsIHub for the Industry Associations Innovation Day 2018.

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Maseko: We need to establish the extent to which the new White Paper is addressing the issues of better collaboration / youth / skills / etc.

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

From the floor… Businesses are investing heavily in training, b/c people are coming to businesses with the wrong skill sets. We need government to work with us to get the right skilling. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Innovation is not just a physical machine or product, but we have to innovate processes, too! #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

#InnovationDay, Too many big businesses still go beyond SA’s borders to get research done, it’s not going to work. We need to use our own universities.

— Taslima (@Dsttviljoen) May 25, 2018

Imraan Patel Deputy-Director General Socio-economic Partnerships @dstgovza We cannot solve our problems alone. Upcoming investment + jobs summit reflect the need to align. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Dr Glenda Kruss & Dr Moses Sithole on the spot now talking about why SA collects STI statistics. “Governing without data is like driving without a dashboard.” @BizInnovationSA #IAID2018 @dstgovza

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Kruss: SA aims to invest 1.5% of GDP but in SA’s latest estimate it is sitting at 0.8% @HSRC_CeSTII @HSRCza @BizInnovationSA #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Kruss: Industry associations + firms can use SA’s R&D and innovation datasets to inform their strategies + performance plans. @BusinessUnitySA #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Sithole: More firms innovate than do R&D – in SA, in Africa, all over the world. This poses a very interesting set of policy questions in terms of how firms + governments support innovation. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Practice Leadership Panel, moderated by @henramayer of Innocentrix. We have manufacturing, renewables, and information technology on the panel. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Mayer: We need to have more conversations like these about innovation in South Africa. We have the capability in South Africa to innovate for Africa and the world. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Brenda Martin CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association SAWEA says lots of innovation in wind sector – blades/turbines/etc. The bottlenecks for a long time have been political. But now new power agreements signed. Market re-structuring is key. Regulations are restrictive!

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Martin: R100bn industry. We need to create a more conducive environment for wind companies to invest in SA. We need to transform the demographic of the sector. We need to reduce procurement blockages – but also spread the benefits. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Martin: SAWEA needs to show leadership in the SA energy transition. But we can’t do this in a vacuum. We need policy certainty in SA. It is essential that citizen access to rooftop power is enhanced. Current regulations are stifling. @_sawea #IAID

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Martin: Industry associations need to be concerned about the system but we also need to look long-term! #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Mayer: Question to @sawea… Argentinian firms are trading renewable energy projects on blockchain. Are we getting this right in South Africa?

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Philippa Rodseth Executive Director Manufacturing Circle is up. Lack of coordination, alignment and policy certainty are absolutely key to innovation in the manufacturing sector! #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

#InnovationDay discussing what industry can do to support an innovation agenda. Another panel discussion representing agriculture, manufacturing, wind energy and ICT. pic.twitter.com/DNySZ0hrGV

— Taslima (@Dsttviljoen) May 25, 2018

Rodseth: Manufacturing Circle is an apex body. We are interested in unpacking the real threat + opportunity of Industry 4.0 for manufacturing. Jobs will be lost, but jobs will be gained (in different skills areas). We call this ‘shift’. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Sunil Geness President + Director Information + Technology Association of SA. ITA set up an inaugural ‘Future of Technology Forum’ to share knowledge/flow. @GENESSSA #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Geness: Data is gold. In our industry – we need to ensure that individuals ‘at the bottom level’ in a society how important this is… Industries need to set governance frameworks to work with this. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Geness: Where is SA getting left behind? We are getting caught in consumerism. We need to lift our heads. We need skilled people. We need to be very cautious / take care of humanity. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

From the floor… We need to think very innovatively about the education and training landscape. Industry associations have an opportunity to play a key leadership role to address skills shortcomings establish systems + processes where occupational skillset recognition. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Geness: ITA is imploring its members to create the jobs of the future. It has 75k target at the moment. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Martin: South African Wind Energy Association has adapted skills programmes to equip SA for the energy transition. E.g. the Wind Turbines Technicians Training Programme. In US this is a fast-growing employment area. But we need policy certainty – for career paths, too. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Rodseth: Manufacturing Circle supporting National Business Initiative on a study of skills in the manufacturing sector. We need to be training for skills of the future – and we’re needing to connect better to the training sector on this. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Geness/Rodseth: The start-up environment has not been working in SA, and so is the venture capital space. Access to market + access to finance are the key blockages. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

From the floor… Is it possible for big firms to set up ‘wings’ in the premises for small players to work on their machinery? Small entrepreneurs are blocked and need small enabling opportunities… #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Kobus Roux Council for Scientific & Industrial Research @CSIR how industry associations/firms can leverage CSIR platforms for innovation #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Roux: The role of an R&D organisation like the SA CSIR is to lower the risk for industry on its journey to commercialisation. CSIR has many platforms for industry to access its infrastructures, programmes + networks #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Roux: CSIR is working on the ‘Bollywood of SA’… we want to see more TV stations online via mobile phones in an affordable way. CSIR is developing an industrial strategy. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Roux: ‘Project Synapse’ – CSIR connections to establish connections with industry, entrepreneurs and communities. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

Roux: One key priority for the CSIR 18/19 – establish a 4th Industrial Revolution centre, in collaboration with industry players i.e. a lab where disruption can be tested. #IAID2018

— CeSTII (@HSRC_CeSTII) May 25, 2018

#innovationday, @dstgovza @HSRC_CeSTII hosting critical discussions on preparing the country for Industry 4.0 pic.twitter.com/Xq8R0FAKNM

— Taslima (@Dsttviljoen) May 25, 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)