Abstract
Innovation management in the broadcasting industry is a critical component of television station profitability and survival given the rapid rate of technological change as well as increasing competition intensity in this industry in South Africa. The study surveyed a sample of 66 engineers, technical managers and senior managers from South Africa’s public and private television stations for their perceptions on the innovativeness of their organisations, the internal and external factors of innovation and how effectively these were being managed and the measures that can be taken to improve innovation management in their respective stations. This data was collected through convenience sampling and analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests of association. The sample associated the following internal factors with highly innovative organisations: an innovation-centred business strategy; the availability of adequate financial and technical resources to support innovation; highly skilled and experienced staff and a staff reward system that rewards innovation. The external factors associated with highly innovative organisations were responses to new technological changes by competitors and new technological expectations by customers. The study recommended a framework that considered the above factors as a possible guide to innovation management in addition to the development of comprehensive innovation strategies, keeping motivated teams and rewarding innovativeness.
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)