Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators
Measuring innovation capacity in local firms
Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators • Measuring innovation capacity in local firmsEffective 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 2019-2021, 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).
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 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
South African Innovation in the Informal Sector Survey
2017-2018
Statistical Report: Appendix 1 – Survey Questionnaire
Statistical Report: Appendices 2-5
Go to all Business Innovation Survey data sets
Analyses
Analysis | Innovation in services: The potential to contribute to structural economic transformation
Analysis | How South Africa’s services sector can help tackle poverty and inequality
Analysis | The pace and direction of innovation is critical to South Africa’s economic recovery
Analysis | Survey shows South African firms in some sectors are highly innovative
Analysis | International innovation collaboration activity by SA businesses
Analysis | Adoption and diffusion of advanced ICTs in South Africa’s agricultural sector
Analysis | Nigeria and SA’s innovation performance compared
Analysis | Policy levers to boost innovation and productivity in South African manufacturing firms
Analysis | Barriers to innovation: Evidence from South African manufacturing companies 2010–2012