Effective policy and decision making requires high quality evidence. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), as a partner within the national statistics system, is mandated to oversee the collection of statistics on science, technology and innovation. Since 2002, the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators at the Human Sciences Research Council has performed research and experimental development (R&D) surveys and business innovation surveys for the DSI. Based on the recommended methodology outlined in the OECD’s Oslo Manual, an international best practice guide, surveys require a dedicated team of fieldworkers, information technologists, data analysts, and statisticians.

CeSTII has conducted five rounds of the BIS, covering the periods 2002-2004, 2005-2007, 2010-2012, 2014-2016 and 2019-2022, as well as the Agricultural Innovation Survey 2016-2018, covering farming, forestry and fisheries.

The measurement of innovation using these surveys tries, where possible, to take into account the distinctive context of South Africa—being in Africa, the global south, and characterised as a middle-income country, with both highly and weakly developed economic structures, and pressing socio-economic challenges.

The history of South African innovation surveys

South Africa’s innovation surveys stretch back to the early 1990s. The first innovation survey covered the manufacturing sector and examined the period 1992-1994. It was performed by the University of Cape Town in collaboration with the Foundation for Research Development (the predecessor to the National Research Foundation of South Africa). The second survey (1998-2000) covered manufacturing and services, and was performed by the University of Pretoria and Eindhoven University.

Interested in the measurement of South African innovation?

Innovation Survey Reports

South African Business Innovation Survey

The South African Business Innovation Survey is performed by CeSTII for the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). 

Report: Innovation performance in South African businesses, 2014-2016: Activities, Outcomes, Enablers, Constraints

Data set: Appendix Tables (Innovation performance in South African businesses, 2014-2016: Activities, Outcomes, Enablers, Constraints) 

Brochure: South African Business Innovation Survey 2014-2016

ISIFINYEZO ESIPHEZULU: Ukusebenzisa izindlela ezintsha emabhizinisini aseNingizimu Afrika, 2014-2016

2010-2012

Innovation in the South African Manufacturing Sector, 2010-2012

Innovation in Selected South African Services Sectors, 2010-2012

South African Business Innovation Survey 2010-12 FAQs: Mining Manufacturing Services

2008

Innovation Survey Report 2008

Innovation Survey Highlights 2008

2005-2007

Highlights of the Business Innovation Survey, 2005-2007

Full report of the Business Innovation Survey, 2005-2007

2002-2004

Main results of the South African Innovation Survey 2002-2004

South African Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Survey

2016-2018

Report: Innovation performance in South African commercial agriculture, forestry and fisheries businesses, 2016-2018: Results of a baseline survey with key national and sectoral trends

Data set: Appendix Tables (Report: Innovation performance in South African commercial agriculture, forestry and fisheries businesses, 2016-2018: Results of a baseline survey with key national and sectoral trends)

Brochure: South African Agricultural Business Innovation Survey 2016-2018

South African Innovation in the Informal Sector Survey

2017-2018

Statistical Report: Innovation in the South African Informal Sector Survey – Baseline Survey in Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, 2017-2018

Data Tables: Innovation in the South African Informal Sector Survey – Baseline Survey in Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, 2017-2018

Statistical Report: Appendix 1 – Survey Questionnaire

Statistical Report: Appendices 2-5

Go to all Business Innovation Survey data sets