R&D and innovation in South African SOEs: trends, case studies, indicators

Abstract

State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are vital national assets with a mandate to contribute to sustainable economic growth and South Africa's broad developmental goals. In March 2019, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) published the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation. This recognised the need to revitalise SOEs to play a meaningful role in South Africa's science, technology, innovation and economic development. As key institutions for human capital development and international and national knowledge sharing, the White Paper also aimed to position SOEs as innovation-driven for the knowledge economy. But to what extent and how are South African state-owned enterprises geared to perform R&D and innovation? How can progress towards the revitalised role be measured? What new indicators can contribute to public management and governance of SOE R&D and innovation?