R&D and innovation capabilities in South African state-owned enterprises: the case of the South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd

Abstract

This case study research report, commissioned by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), analyses R&D and innovation capabilities in the South African state-owned enterprise, the South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd (SAFCOL). It situates SAFCOL within its unique innovation system, examining five key dimensions within the organisation: human capabilities, technological capabilities, networks, research infrastructure, and governance. The research also explores the plans and strategies that SAFCOL has set in place to develop its R&D and innovation capabilities. Where possible, the analysis is punctuated with examples of the SOE???s R&D and innovation outputs as well as unit-level R&D Survey data pertaining to SAFCOL.