wave, the implementation of new ideas, products, services and social changes will require us to understand innovation processes much better. The word is becoming a cliché, but as a nation do we have a common understanding of its importance?
The National System of Innovation is a
conceptual model which can play an important role in the future of South Africa to create a shared vision, and mobilise resources, skills and enthusiasm of our nation to achieve the future we all desire.
However, based on the approach to date, while we have achieved some of the targets for S&T, we have not seen the pull-through to the economy or social upliftment. The limit is not technology availability but an ability to harness ourselves to drive through to implement solutions. It is not the sole role of government but a shared responsibility to find new models which benefit all. We need to become much more able to partner, to alliance, to co-create, and collaborate to pool our abilities to become a more competitive nation.
I believe our National System of Innovation needs an overhaul to address the real grand challenges, and not to wait another 16 years. This paper is written at a time when a DST Ministerial Review of the NSI is about to be published, and I hope that in our joint wisdom, we can move away from our fixation with the Chasm.
“THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION IS A
CONCEPTUAL MODEL WHICH CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE
IN THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO CREATE A SHARED
VISION, AND MOBILISE
RESOURCES, SKILLS AND ENTHUSIASM OF OUR NATION TO ACHIEVE THE FUTURE WE ALL DESIRE.”
References
1. White Paper on Science and Technology – “Preparing for the 21st Century” Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (4 September 1996). 2. South African Research and Development Strategy. Department of Science and Technology (August 2002) 3. 10-Year Innovation Plan, Department of Science and Technology (2008) 4. South African Innovation Survey 2005, HSRC/DST (2007) 5. Innovation Policy - a Guideline for Developing Countries, The World Bank (2010) 6. National Development Plan, National Planning Commission (November 2011) 7. Square Kilometre Array,
www.ska.ac.za
The Innovation Journal September 2012 | Management Today 25
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