HSRC launches nationwide probe amid

Surveys to collect evidence on how innovation occurs at firm level

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has embarked on a nationwide research drive to uncover why South African businesses are struggling to innovate in a shrinking economy burdened by rising input costs, unreliable infrastructure, and tightening access to capital.

Starting on Thursday, the HSRC and its partner Sigma Kairos Research and Consulting began fieldwork for two major surveys - the Business Innovation Survey (BIS) and the Agricultural Business Innovation Survey (AgriBIS) - across all nine provinces.

Commissioned by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the surveys aim to collect evidence on how innovation occurs at firm level, what factors inhibit it, and how government can improve policy responses.