Improving stakeholder harmonisation and policy development processes in the national system of innovation

Abstract

The governance of innovation is a major challenge within the broad discourse on the successful formulation and implementation of innovation policy. This study adopted a qualitative research approach and case study design to analyse the policy development processes and stakeholder harmonisation in the South African National System of Innovation (NSI). Interviews were conducted with 30 actors within the NSI. The study's findings about the NSI policy development are consistent with South Africa's approach to involving stakeholders in policy-making. However, a notable gap in broad-based participation was identified, indicating that policy development is not adequately filtered across the entire innovation landscape. This gap has led to a misunderstanding about responsibilities and NSI actors' contributions to the NSI, negatively affecting the harmonisation of actors' roles. The study recommends addressing fragmentation and improving integration and communication through information sharing, community engagement, consultations, local and international partnerships and advancing policy development approaches.