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A concise review of the evolution of information and communication technologies for engineering innovations

A recipe for national innovate entrepreneurial activity : finance and industry with a dose of self-confidence

Agile as an enabler towards innovation-based organisational transformations

  • Authors: Tshabalala, Mothepane M. , Marnewick, Carl
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Innovation , Strategy , Agile
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/488283 , uj:44478 , Citation: Tshabalala, M.M. & Marnewick, C., 2021, ‘Agile as an enabler towards innovation-based organisational transformations’, South African Journal of Information Management 23(1), a1309. https://doi. org/10.4102/sajim. v23i1.1309 , DOI: https://doi. org/10.4102/sajim. v23i1.1309 , ISSN: (Online) 1560-683X, (Print) 2078-1865
  • Description: Abstract : Background: Organisations must respond quickly and consistently to ongoing global shifts. This streak separates remaining competitive from losing market share. Globalisation has accounted for the majority of this transformation, which has been reinforced by rapid digital transformation. Industry experts and researchers are continually studying effective remedies to this worldwide transition as part of their response to this drive. This is required because the world is changing unavoidably, and effective responses to the change should be investigated. Objectives: To study the relationship between Agile and innovation, and how this relationship might facilitate organisations’ reaction to global changes, in response to the battle of how to adapt to global transformations successfully. Method: A systematic literature review analysing 1645 peer-reviewed journals through the use of social network analysis. Results: The terms ‘Agile,’ ‘digital transformation’, ‘design thinking’, ‘agility’, ‘innovation management’, ‘lean’, ‘Industry 4.0’, ‘Agile development’ and ‘digital innovation’ have the strongest links to ‘innovation’. This demonstrates how innovation is reliant on Agile and its characteristics. Furthermore, the computed data clusters from the analysed dataset led to five propositions: (1) Agility sustains innovation strategies (P1). (2) Collaborating Agile methodology with digital innovation leads to competitive advantage (P2). (3) Agile development accelerates or facilitates new business models, such as Industry 4.0 (P3). (4) Design thinking creates value in innovation management or development of new product (P4). Lastly, (5) the concept or theory of lean Agile management (P5). Conclusion: The correlation between Agile and innovation is critical for effective responses to global digital transformations that are ongoing.
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Artificial intelligence in the Industry 4.0, and its impact on Poverty, innovation, infrastructure development, and the Sustainable development goals: Lessons from Emerging economies?

  • Authors: Mhlanga, David
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Artificial intelligence , Industry 4.0 , Innovation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/488601 , uj:44517 , Citation: Mhlanga, D. Artificial Intelligence in the Industry 4.0, and Its Impact on Poverty, Innovation, Infrastructure Development, and the Sustainable Development Goals: Lessons from Emerging Economies? Sustainability 2021, 13, 5788. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115788 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115788
  • Description: Abstract: Abstract: Artificial intelligence in the fourth industrial revolution is beginning to live up to its promises of delivering real value necessitated by the availability of relevant data, computational ability, and algorithms. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the influence of artificial intelligence on the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals with a direct focus on poverty reduction, goal one, industry, innovation, and infrastructure development goal 9, in emerging economies. Using content analysis, the result pointed to the fact that artificial intelligence has a strong influence on the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals particularly on poverty reduction, improvement of the certainty and reliability of infrastructure like transport making economic growth and development possible in emerging economies. The results revealed that Artificial intelligence is making poverty reduction possible through improving the collection of poverty-related data through poverty maps, revolutionizing agriculture education and the finance sector through financial inclusion. The study also discovered that AI is also assisting a lot in education, and the financial sector allowing the previously excluded individuals to be able to participate in the mainstream economy. Therefore, it is important that governments in emerging economies need to invest more in the use of AI and increase the research related to it so that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to innovation, infrastructure development, poverty reduction are attained.
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Backdrop of research and innovation in South Africa: implications for fourth industrial revolution

  • Authors: Jegede, Oluseye O.
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Industrialization , Innovation , Innovation system
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/488491 , uj:44504 , Citation: Jegede, Oluseye O., 2021. Backdrop of research and innovation in South Africa: implications for fourth industrial revolution.
  • Description: Abstract: This study explores the opportunities for South Africa to promote economic activities in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. Hence, the study examined science, technology & innovation (STI) as the main driver of the fourth industrial revolution. Meta-analysis was conducted to elicit information from key government policy documents on STI since 1994 to check the political will of South Africa's government. Grey literature from government departments were also reviewed to examine the strength of South Africa’s Research and Innovation System. Based on the assessment of data and information gathered, the study concludes that though strong institutions characterize South Africa's research and innovation system, but the relatively low intensity of linkages and interaction among the key actors of the innovation system continues to pose a threat to South Africa taking a leadership position to significantly contribute to the fourth industrial revolution. However, strong coordination among South Africa’s financial, human, natural, physical, and institutional resources will situate the country in a position to develop the necessary capabilities for the fourth industrial revolution
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Beegining : the implementation of appropriate

  • Authors: Brown, Ivan Leroy , Campbell, Angus Donald
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Appropriate Beekeeping Technology , Innovation , Implementation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference Proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/461549 , uj:41114 , Citation: Brown, I.L. & Campbell, A.D. 2020. Beegining : the implementation of appropriate.
  • Description: Abstract: In January 2018 a small South African business called Beegin opened its doors to the international beekeeping industry. Three years of design research, field-testing and development at the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Industrial Design resulted in a lightweight concrete beehive and a set of moulds for its distributed production. The appropriate beekeeping technology system (ABTS) produced good results in trials, however, the hardest part of any technological intervention, especially in a developing context, lies in its implementation at scale. Careful theoretical and methodological choices guided the design process through a focus on design for impact (Prestero, 2012), and learnings from the successes and failures of other appropriate technology (AT) projects (Hazeltine & Bull, 2003). This recipe became the foundation from which the delivery strategy for Beegin was planned. Two years later, Beegin has successfully delivered products to over 200 clients in 11 countries. The technology is beginning to have its intended impact, but the implementation process has been far from straightforward. Almost all of the early expectations were not achieved and plans had to be constantly revisited as Beegin struggled through the phases of business start-up despite, and in some ways due to, its innovative product offering. This paper will briefly document the development of the Beegin beekeeping technology system, the contextual problems it tried to address, and the theoretical framework and methods that led to its creation. The main focus of the paper will be an exploration of the transition phase of the Beegin beehive as an AT intervention that took the route from a University-based research project to commercial enterprise. This is relevant for AT discourse firstly because not much has been written on the subject, and secondly because there are useful lessons to be learnt from the practical experience of commercial implementation versus theoretical AT delivery.
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Building blocks of innovation within a state-owned enterprise (Part One).

  • Authors: Van Zyl, B. , Roodt, G. , Coetsee, W.J.
  • Date: 2005
  • Subjects: Building blocks , Innovation , Strategic enablers , Business enablers , Human resources , Contextual setting
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2937
  • Description: This article (part one of a two-part study) presents a literature review aimed at establishing a theoretical framework on the innovation building blocks in a state-owned enterprise (SOE). Part two of the study will focus on SOE managers’ espoused theory on the building blocks of innovation. The findings of the literature (theoretical) review, suggested that the current theoretical framework on innovation consisted of five important building blocks, namely contextual setting; strategic enablers; business enablers; foundational enablers; and human resources; each with its own categories and sub-categories. The study also identified barriers to innovation.
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Building blocks of innovation within a state-owned enterprise (Part One).

  • Authors: Van Zyl, E.M.
  • Date: 2005
  • Subjects: Innovation , Building blocks , contextual setting , Strategic enablers , Business enablers , Human resources
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6385 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1128
  • Description: This article (part one of a two-part study) presents a literature review aimed at establishing a theoretical framework on the innovation building blocks in a state-owned enterprise (SOE). Part two of the study will focus on SOE managers’ espoused theory on the building blocks of innovation. The findings of the literature (theoretical) review, suggested that the current theoretical framework on innovation consisted of five important building blocks, namely contextual setting; strategic enablers; business enablers; foundational enablers; and human resources; each with its own categories and sub-categories. The study also identified barriers to innovation.
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Building blocks of innovation within a state-owned enterprise (Part Two).

  • Authors: Van Zyl, E.M. , Coetsee, W.J. , Roodt, G.
  • Date: 2005
  • Subjects: Building blocks , Innovation , Strategic enablers , Business enablers , Foundation enablers
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6392 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1134
  • Description: In this article (the second part of a two-part study) the focus is on establishing a theoretical framework of state owned enterprise (SOE) managers’ espoused theory of building blocks of innovation. A qualitative approach, namely Grounded Theory, supported by Theoretical Sampling, was applied in generating the primary data for the study from different management levels in the SOE. The managers’ espoused theory, based on empirical evidence, shows that innovation consisted of five important building blocks, namely contextual setting; strategic enablers; business enablers; foundational enablers; and human resources; each with its own categories and sub-categories. The study also identified barriers to innovation. An innovation diffusion framework, specifically for implementation in a government context, was proposed.
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Children's tool innovation across culture

  • Authors: Neldner, Karri , Redshaw, Jonathan , Murphy, Sean , Tomaselli, Keyan , Jacqueline, Davis, , Dixson, Barnaby , Nielsen, Mark
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Tool innovation , Cross-cultural , Innovation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/407171 , uj:34262 , Citation: Neldner, K. et al. 2019: Children's tool innovation across culture.
  • Description: Abstract: Prior research suggests that human children lack an aptitude for tool innovation. However, children’s tool making must be explored across a broader range of tasks and across diverse cultural contexts before we can conclude that they are genuinely poor tool innovators. To this end, we investigated children’s ability to independently construct three new tools using distinct actions: adding, subtracting and reshaping. We tested 422 children across a broad age range from five geographic locations across South Africa (N = 126), Vanuatu (N = 190) and Australia (N = 106), which varied in their levels of exposure to Westernized culture. Children were shown a horizontal, transparent tube that had a sticker in its middle. Children were sequentially given each incomplete tool, which when accurately constructed could be used to push the sticker out of the tube. As predicted, older children were better at performing the innovation tasks than younger children across all cultures and innovation actions. We also found evidence for cultural variation: while all non‐Western groups performed similarly, the Western group of children innovated at higher rates. However, children who did not innovate often adopted alternate methods when using the tools that also led to success. This suggests that children’s innovation levels are influenced by the cultural environment, and highlights the flexibility inherent in human children’s tool use.
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Coworking spaces and makerspaces : mapping the state of research

  • Authors: Krausa, Sascha , González-Serranod, Maria H. , Calabuig, Ferran , Bounckenc, Ricarda B. , Görmarc, Lars
  • Date: 2022
  • Subjects: Coworking , Knowledge creation , Innovation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/497533 , uj:45392 , Citation: Krausa, S. et al. 2022. Coworking spaces and makerspaces : mapping the state of research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100161
  • Description: Abstract: Coworking and its merits and benefits have been under heavy scholarly investigation. Also in practice, the phenomenon with its characteristics and manifestations becomes increasingly relevant on many levels and for many different types of people and organizations. But why is that so, and how are the research activities distributed between researchers, countries, and journals? To answer these questions, we first analyzed existing literature and extracted the focal points of the respective approaches. We conducted a cluster analysis on the existing literature by analyzing data from the Web of Science. With these clusters, we show the development of the research stream and how the studies are connected. The findings point towards the relevance of coworking spaces for innovative behavior and knowledge exchange, making them a place for work and social exchange and a tool for pursuing daily work, innovative ideas, knowledge creation, and interaction. With these findings, we contribute to the understanding of this research stream as a whole and provide a deeper understanding of the available studies and how they are connected. This allows researchers to understand where the interest came from, where it is going and how they can contribute to the topic. Our study indicates that scholars should take a broad approach towards the phenomenon coworking. It set food in many different research areas and all of them are important for a holistic understanding, showing potential for interesting studies. On a practical note, the factors that coworking influences need to be rethought throughout the whole work environment.
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Extreme Events, Entrepreneurial Start-Ups, and Innovation: Theoretical Conjectures

  • Authors: Gries, Thomas , Naud´e, Wim
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Innovation , COVID-19
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/494608 , uj:44871 , Citation: Gries, T., Naud´e, W., 2021., Extreme Events, Entrepreneurial Start-Ups, and Innovation: Theoretical Conjectures. , DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s41885-021-00089-0
  • Description: Abstract: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we scrutinize what has been established in the literature on whether entrepreneurship can cause and resolve extreme events, the immediate and long-run impacts of extreme events on entrepreneurship, and whether extreme events can positively impact (some) entrepreneurship and innovation. Based on this, we utilize a partial equilibrium model to provide several conjectures on the impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurship, and to derive policy recommendations for recovery. We illustrate that while entrepreneurship recovery will benefit from measures such as direct subsidies for start-ups, firms’ revenue losses, and loan liabilities, it will also benefit from aggregate demand-side support and income redistribution measures, as well as from measures that facilitate the innovation-response to the Keynesian supply-shock caused by the pandemic, such as access to online retail and well-functioning global transportation and logistics.
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Factors driving innovation strategies and long‐term capability in the financial industry

  • Authors: Dlamini, Tenele , Groenewald, Darelle
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Innovation , Innovation strategies , Innovation capabilities
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/399920 , uj:33352 , Citation: Dlamini, T. & Groenewald, D. 2019. Factors driving innovation strategies and long‐term capability in the financial industry.
  • Description: Abstract: With innovation being one of the elements to obtain a competitive advantage, organisations in the modern business environment are primarily focused on improving existing processes and products as a means of innovation. Organisations need to go beyond product and process innovation and develop strategies specifically intended for innovation. Innovation in most organisations happens in a non‐systematic, arbitrary manner. Organisations should establish clear innovation strategies such as aggressive innovation, technological innovation, market innovation and opportunity innovation. Knowing what drives innovation strategies and capability will enhance organisations to gain an additional competitive edge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors driving innovation strategies that would ensure long‐term capabilities within the financial industry. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, cross‐sectional and used a case study design. As the existing body of knowledge on innovation strategies is limited, an interpretivist philosophy that is descriptive in nature were used as it describes and provides insight into this field of study. Following a thematic approach and using semi‐structured interviews the empirical study was conducted on twenty top managers from twenty different organisations in the financial industry in one of South Africa’s provinces. Data was analysed using Atlas‐ti. The financial industry was selected because the industry is entering a digital phase that demands sustained innovation practices to survive in this new landscape. The industry is at the core of rapid structural changes that have a significant effect on South Africa. Prior to conducting the interviews, pretesting was conducted by undertaking pilot tests to test the viability and reliability of the questions. Empirical evidence suggests that innovation strategies and innovation success is influenced by multiple factors, mainly technology, employee motivation and leadership. The results reflected that successful innovation in organisations cannot be achieved in silo’s but organisational support is fundamental. It was found that ideapitching platforms enhance the creation of new ideas and implementation of new innovation practices.
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Fostering Innovative Entrepreneurial Design Students : Exploring the Relationship between Innovation Characteristics and Attitudes towards Entrepreneurship in South African Design Students

Gender differences in the relationship between innovation and its antecedents

  • Authors: Steyn, Renier , De Bruin, Gideon
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Gender , Innovation , Psychometrics
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/456662 , uj:40463 , Citation: Steyn, R., & De Bruin, G. (2020). Gender differences in the relationship between innovation and its antecedents. South African Journal of Business Management, 51(1), a1675. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/sajbm.v51i1.1675 , ISSN: (Online) 2078-5976
  • Description: Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to go beyond measurement invariance and assess whether innovation and its antecedents relate to each other in the same way for men as for women when using measurement invariant instruments. Design/methodology/approach: The sample represents 52 South African organisations, with 60 employees from each, amounting to 3143 respondents, of which 56.4% were men and 43.6% women. Four instruments, of which the measurement invariance across gender has been determined, were included in the study. The relationship between innovation and its antecedents was assessed by performing both correlation and regression analyses for men and women separately, and comparing the findings. Thereafter, gender was introduced as moderator between innovation and its antecedents. Findings/results: The results reveal that the relationships between innovation and its antecedents do not differ practically across gender, nor does gender moderate the relationship between these variables. Practical implications: Although gender and gender diversity are often associated with innovation, this research reveals that gender does not alter the way the antecedents to innovation influence innovation at an individual level. Originality/value: Through applying quantitative and sophisticated methodologies this research contributes to an evidence-based debate on gender in the workplace.
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Global Value Chains, Trade and Technology : evidence from European countries

  • Authors: Guei, Kore Marc.
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Global value chains , Exports , Innovation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/482783 , uj:43791 , Citation: Guei, K.M. 2021. Global Value Chains, Trade and Technology : evidence from European countries.
  • Description: Abstract: The paper investigates the effects of global value chains (GVCs) and technological innovation on exports. The paper builds a new dataset from two database, the EORA and the OECD stan database. Using a pooled OLS and a two-stage quantile regression technique on a sample of 8 OECD countries, the results suggest that the effects of GVCs participation are heterogeneous across countries. We find that at the aggregate level, GVCs and forward participation are negatively associated with exports growth. However, we only find evidence of a positive effect of backward participation on exports in the case of France and Germany. At the disaggregated level, we find that: (a) an increase in GVCs participation in low technology intensive sectors is positively associated with exports’growth; (b) an increase in GVCs participation in high technology intensive sector is negatively correlated with exports’growth. The findings stress the importance of GVCs as a driving channel for subdue economic growth in low technological sectors.
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Innovation and social value creation of female social entrepreneurs in Africa

  • Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, Cecile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Social entrepreneurship , Innovation , Social value
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/453364 , uj:40022 , Citation: Nieuwenhuizen, C. 2020. Innovation and social value creation of female social entrepreneurs in Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: This paper focuses on social entrepreneurship. This form of entrepreneurship differs from commercial entrepreneurship insofar as it generates social value and impact as opposed to purely profit. A social entrepreneur can be defined as “the most powerful force for good in the world […]; a person driven by an innovative idea that can help correct an entrenched global problem [through] system-changing solutions that permanently alter existing patterns of activity” (Ashoka.org). Yet the perception is that social entrepreneurs are simply involved in basic upliftment initiatives in deprived communities, more akin to social small businesses. The reality is that many social entrepreneurs are powerful and innovative changemakers. This paper explores the question of who are these dynamic entrepreneurs and what are their innovations which impact the societies in which they operate? Ashoka, an organisation that have pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship since 1980 continuously identify Ashoka Fellows. These are the world’s leading social entrepreneurs and their Ashoka profiles provide information for better understanding and appreciation of social entrepreneurs, their innovations and their impact on society. A sample of 143 innovative female social entrepreneurs from Africa was drawn from the Ashoka database of 3,500 Ashoka Fellows worldwide. The keyword ‘innovation’ was used, yielding representation of social organisations from areas such as Development and Prosperity, Children and Youth, Business and Social Enterprise, Education and Learning, Health and Fitness, Economic Development and Health Care. All of these entrepreneurs had established organisations and had created value in their communities. Using criteria to determine the level of innovation in the organisation to further narrow down the sample, 13 organisations were identified as truly innovative. The research was qualitative, using content analysis to examine the profiles of the 13 social entrepreneurs and to determine the type, level and impact their organisations. This paper contributes a better understanding of female social entrepreneurs in Africa, their innovations and their impact on people, communities and countries. The findings will be valuable for entrepreneurship educators shaping future entrepreneurs as well as stakeholders concerned with the upliftment of communities.
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Innovation in developing countries : examining two decades of research

  • Authors: Lema, Rasmus , Kraemer-Mbula, Erika , Rakas, Marija
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Innovation studies , Innovation , Development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/489726 , uj:44662 , Citation: Lema, R., Kraemer-Mbula, E. & Rakas, M. (2021): Innovation in developing countries: examining two decades of research, Innovation and Development, DOI: 10.1080/2157930X.2021.1989647
  • Description: Abstract: This article examines how the literature on innovation in developing countries has developed in the social science-related disciplines over the last two decades. While increasing fourfold in the last decade compared to the decade before, the bulk is on middle-income emerging economies. These emerging economies, especially China, increasingly shape the thematic orientation of the literature. In this respect, low-income countries remain marginal, and research on them is rather fragmented. Furthermore, new disciplinary fields that did not exist or were small 20 years ago have been central in the literature’s overall advance. Yet, it is mainly informed by theoretical concepts developed in the rich world and outside innovation and development studies. However, we argue that the innovation and development research community is well positioned to inform this increasing interest in innovation in developing countries. To do so, it should strengthen its core with grounded theory building, seek complementarities with other theoretical traditions, and endorse openness and collaboration with development research in domains such as agriculture, energy and health. This may strengthen the ability of the community to better inform policies for societal change.
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Innovation-driven local economic development : in search of best practice implementation for South Africa

  • Authors: Rogerson, Christian M.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Local economic development , Innovation , South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/277093 , uj:29678 , Citation: Rogerson, C.R. 2018. Innovation-driven local economic development : in search of best practice implementation for South Africa. E u r o E c o n o m i c a, 1(37):21-34. , ISSN: 1582-8859
  • Description: Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate best practice implementation frameworks for the implementation of innovation-driven local economic development in South Africa. Local economic development planning is a critical aspect of the development landscape in South Africa. The most recent national framework is strongly influenced by interventions made by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) which has positioned innovation at the heart of development planning. The international experience concerning the challenges and implementation of innovation-led strategies was analysed through a literature survey. The material collected was extracted both from academic sources and from the policy works of a range of international development agencies. The results show an increasing convergence in perspectives concerning implementation frameworks around the need for a stage-based or evolutionary approach and that policies should be highly selective in terms of “entry points” or interventions. In moving forward with the South African agenda for innovation-driven local economies much can be drawn from international experience with accompanying potential benefits for the national tourism economy.
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Open governance for improved service delivery Innovation in South Africa

  • Authors: Nel, Danielle
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Fourth Industrial Revolution , Innovation , Open governance
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/416002 , uj:35172 , Citation: Nel, D. Open governance for improved service delivery Innovation in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: , The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is the current and developing environment in which changing technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way governments function. Governments are increasingly facing new risks and opportunities due to the advancement of the 4IR. Governments need to find ways to adapt to the 4IR. Innovation is a prerequisite for adapting to the 4IR. The aim of this article is to determine the level of public service delivery innovation (SDI) in South Africa in the context of the 4IR. The analysis in this article is based on secondary data and documentary analysis, including unsolicited government documents, reports and legislation, and authoritative scholarly literature. A number of innovation measures for improved service delivery have been adopted in South Africa. These efforts are not, however, embedded within the wider public service, and efforts to improve SDI should be considered. In a global environment of resource constraints and constant change, open governance through multi-stakeholder collaboration may present strategic opportunities to facilitate innovation. The aim of these initiatives is to enhance transparency and accountability, and to facilitate public service delivery and citizen participation.
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