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Subject: search.filters.subject.Innovation ecosystem

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    Inclusive innovation ecosystems and township-based startups in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mhlanga, Thandeka Innocentia; Inclusive innovation ecosystems and township-based startups in South Africa
    In South Africa, the apartheid legacy gave rise to inequality and marginalised communities. To date, the country has the highest inequality income distribution in 2021 globally, with a GINI score of 63 (Dyvik, 2024). The score measures the income inequality in a country, and the closer it is to zero, the more equally distributed the income. Inequality is said to be inherently problematic and holds back social and economic development in the long run (Stiglitz, 2012). Harsh et al. (2018) explores the overlaps between the levels of inclusive innovation and three pathways for increasing equality through emerging technologies frameworks, with a focus on the inclusiveness of the innovation policy for nanotechnology, the development of nanotechnology, and its impact on the marginalised communities in South Africa. Inclusive innovation can potentially redress the inequality challenges brought by the apartheid regime. New technology-based firms are essential as they are regarded as economic game changers in that they embrace continuous technological changes and play a key role in creating and commercializing new products, processes, and technologies in our societies. Particularly in South Africa, they are considered a key role player in addressing political issues such as inequality that emerged during the apartheid era, and that is redressed through the black economic empowerment (BEE) policies (Ndabeni, 2008). As a result, they are not only a source of new employment contributing towards the gross domestic product (GDP), but they are also instrumental in creating new industries such as personal computers, genetic engineering, machine vision, and robotics (Almus & Nerlinger, 1999; Kazanjian, 1988). iii By applying the inclusive innovation ladder and the innovation ecosystem framework, this study evaluates the inclusiveness of The Innovation Hub’s eKasiLab programme, which the local innovation ecosystem enabled to develop and support the growth of township-based innovators.
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    Technology Drivers of Innovation Competitiveness in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship in Gauteng, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tile, Sibahle; Ayodele, Ademola
    Biotechnology entrepreneurship is a rapidly growing field with significant potential for economic development and innovation. However, most of the existing empirical research in this field has been conducted in developed economies, which may not directly apply to the unique context of developing economies like South Africa. In developing countries, including South Africa issues related to human health, food security, renewable resources, and environmental sustainability that biotechnology solutions address are more prevalent, alongside challenges of socio-economic development, unemployment, and low global competitiveness. These challenges emphasize the significance of entrepreneurship, particularly biotechnology entrepreneurship, in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the drivers influencing innovation competitiveness in biotechnology entrepreneurship and evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of technology push and demand-pull innovation of biotechnology entrepreneurship in Gauteng, South Africa. The research adopted a qualitative approach and was conducted through fourteen virtual one-on- one interviews with semi-structured questions. Purposive sampling was used to select biotechnology entrepreneurs involved in the agriculture and health biotechnology sectors with innovations in the biopharmaceuticals, agritech, agroprocessing medical devices and diagnostics industries. The data collected from the participants in the interviews was then thematically analysed to draw a conclusion based on the findings. Main findings included: key drivers influencing innovation competitiveness within the biotechnology entrepreneurship sector in South Africa, emphasizing access to the market, funding, government support, regulatory compliance, and specific market trends as crucial factors. Participants highlighted the significance of market access, government funding, and adherence to regulatory standards for innovation. Additionally, the study explored market, entrepreneurial, and technological capabilities essential for commercializing biotechnology innovations in Gauteng, stressing the importance of entrepreneurial acumen, market understanding, and technological proficiency. It also outlined key enablers such as a growing market and resource availability, alongside constraints like limited funding, skills shortages, and regulatory complexities. The study illustrated how challenges such as access to funding, skills shortages, and unrealistic regulatory standards hinder innovation within the technology push model, while opportunities such as a growing market and potential government support serve as enablers within the demand-pull model, fostering a conducive environment for innovation