Large-scale disruption and fast-changing competitive patterns are a norm in today’s economic landscape. Innovation is a bedrock of successful firms and economies. In this context, firms not only draw from their internal resources but also draw from actors in their external environments, including industry associations, universities, consultants, and governments. Industry associations, in particular, already play a pivotal role in supporting firms to adapt to new trends through the support they offer to their members. How can this support be enhanced?
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The Industry Associations Innovation Day 2018 is envisaged to facilitate a dialogue between industry association leaders across the range of sectors, thought leaders, researchers, and government, as well as encounter case studies, on how some industry associations are tackling the innovation question with and for their membership.
Download one-page invitation you can share around*
On the agenda*
*Note: The agenda has been updated to include speakers from the National Business Initiative, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Information Technology Association of South Africa
REGISTRATION (08h30-09h00)
WELCOME: Joanne Yawitch, CEO: National Business Initiative
KEYNOTE: Innovation, government and Industry 4.0: South Africa’s policy vision, Imraan Patel, Deputy-Director General, Department of Science and Technology
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP PANEL: The trends we can’t afford to ignore anymore, and what businesses can do about them… Themba Maseko, Business Leadership South Africa (Moderator), Etienne Vlok, Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union, Nonkululeko Shinga, Department of Trade and Industry, Mike Colley, Institute for Futures Research
EVIDENCE PRESENTATION: How much R&D and innovation goes on in South Africa, and how we know this, Dr Glenda Kruss, Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, Human Sciences Research Council
BREAK (10h45-11h00)
PRACTICE LEADERSHIP PANEL: What industry associations can do to support an innovation agenda, Henra Mayer, Innocentrix (Moderator), Dr John Purchase, Agricultural Business Chamber, Brenda Martin, South African Wind Energy Association, Philippa Rodseth, Manufacturing Circle, Sunil Geness, Information Technology Association of South Africa
INFORMATION PRESENTATION:
- How government supports innovation, Godfrey Mashamba, Department of Science and Technology
- How industry/businesses can leverage CSIR platforms for innovation, Kobus Roux, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
LUNCH AND NETWORKING (13h00-14h00)
Learn more?
Write to Gerard Ralphs gralphs[at]hsrc.ac.za, or call 021 466 8000.