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Exploring Development Trajecories for African Exploring Development Trajecories for African Development:Linear Growth or Co-evolutionary Development:Linear Growth or Co-evolutionary

Transformation?Transformation?

Wits Innovation International ConferenceWits Innovation International ConferenceMammo Muchie, DST/NRF Research Professor , IERI, Mammo Muchie, DST/NRF Research Professor , IERI,

TUT, DIR, Aalborg University, Senior Research Associate, TUT, DIR, Aalborg University, Senior Research Associate, SLPTMD, Oxford University:www.ajstid.com & SLPTMD, Oxford University:www.ajstid.com &

www.nesglobal.orgwww.nesglobal.org

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OverviewOverview

InspirationInspiration Problems of African DevelopmentProblems of African Development System of Innovation ApproachSystem of Innovation Approach Broadening system element inclusionBroadening system element inclusion Organising Innovation System for African Organising Innovation System for African

DevelopmentDevelopment Community System of InnovationCommunity System of Innovation Concluding RemarkConcluding Remark

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Inspiration!Inspiration!

””There is no presumption that the system (of There is no presumption that the system (of innovation-MM) was, in some sense, innovation-MM) was, in some sense, consciously designed, or even that the set of consciously designed, or even that the set of institutions involved work together smoothly institutions involved work together smoothly and coherently.” (Nelson & Rosenberg, in and coherently.” (Nelson & Rosenberg, in National Innovation System : A Comparative National Innovation System : A Comparative Analyis, Oxford University Press, Oxford Analyis, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1993:4)1993:4)

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Inspiration!Inspiration!

””At present nations seem to be conscious as At present nations seem to be conscious as never before of their ’innovation systems’ and never before of their ’innovation systems’ and how they differ from those of their peers… it how they differ from those of their peers… it is leading to attempts on the part of nations to is leading to attempts on the part of nations to adopt aspects of other systems that they see as adopt aspects of other systems that they see as lending strength.” (Nelson, ibid. 520)lending strength.” (Nelson, ibid. 520)

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Problems of African DevelopmentProblems of African Development

Claims made so far:After half a century of colonial Claims made so far:After half a century of colonial freedom:Africa as a continent still has an economic freedom:Africa as a continent still has an economic size less than the economic size of France!size less than the economic size of France!

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic size is less than the Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic size is less than the economic size of Holland or Belgium!economic size of Holland or Belgium!

Yet there are 54 states, 54 policies plus the Yet there are 54 states, 54 policies plus the unwelcome imposition of often the ’one size fits all unwelcome imposition of often the ’one size fits all policies’ from outside that most of these states do not policies’ from outside that most of these states do not seem able to avoid or afford, or can reject if harmful! seem able to avoid or afford, or can reject if harmful!

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Problems of African DevelopmentProblems of African Development

Politically...formal independence without an African agencyPolitically...formal independence without an African agency Economically... Continued fragmentation means dependence will still Economically... Continued fragmentation means dependence will still

continue, poverty and insecurity too!continue, poverty and insecurity too! Intellectually : knowledge creation and use often not geared to bring about Intellectually : knowledge creation and use often not geared to bring about

structural transformation of an integrated African economystructural transformation of an integrated African economy Integrating research, training, creativities, governing, producing and Integrating research, training, creativities, governing, producing and

circulating within an Africa wide economic system not in existence yetcirculating within an Africa wide economic system not in existence yet Creation of an African national system of production and consumption: a Creation of an African national system of production and consumption: a

major challenge major challenge Linking academy, industry, government and labour on an African scale Linking academy, industry, government and labour on an African scale

and scope talked about but not implemented. and scope talked about but not implemented.

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Fresh Start needed!Fresh Start needed! Something new must be triedSomething new must be tried Change is necessaryChange is necessary The post-colonial balance sheet shows bold steps The post-colonial balance sheet shows bold steps

need to be takenneed to be taken Fresh thinking, thinking big, thinking deep and Fresh thinking, thinking big, thinking deep and

thinking with commitment necessary!!thinking with commitment necessary!! Fresh reconceptualisationFresh reconceptualisation Not all the states in Africa can catch up as they are Not all the states in Africa can catch up as they are

now!now! Not sure even if they can catch up even if regrouped Not sure even if they can catch up even if regrouped

as regionsas regions

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Fresh thinking? Fresh thinking? They should be aware of the fact that very much of these (development) They should be aware of the fact that very much of these (development)

theories are partly rationalisations of the dominant interests in the theories are partly rationalisations of the dominant interests in the advanced and rapidly progressing industrial countries….it would be advanced and rapidly progressing industrial countries….it would be pathetic if the young social scientists in the under-developed countries got pathetic if the young social scientists in the under-developed countries got caught in the predilections of the thinking in the advanced countries, which caught in the predilections of the thinking in the advanced countries, which are hampering the scholars there in their efforts to be rational but would be are hampering the scholars there in their efforts to be rational but would be almost deadening to the intellectual strivings of those in the under-almost deadening to the intellectual strivings of those in the under-developed countries. I would instead wish them to have the courage to developed countries. I would instead wish them to have the courage to throw away large structures of meaningless, irrelevant and sometimes throw away large structures of meaningless, irrelevant and sometimes blatantly inadequate doctrines and theoretical approaches and to start out blatantly inadequate doctrines and theoretical approaches and to start out on fresh thinking right from their needs and their problems. This would on fresh thinking right from their needs and their problems. This would then take them far beyond the realm of both out-moded western liberal then take them far beyond the realm of both out-moded western liberal economics and Marxism. (Gunnar Myrdal, Nobel Laureate in Economics, economics and Marxism. (Gunnar Myrdal, Nobel Laureate in Economics, in Development and Underdevelopment, Cairo, 1956, taken from Reinert, in Development and Underdevelopment, Cairo, 1956, taken from Reinert, International Trade and the Mechanism of Underdevelopment, 1980 )International Trade and the Mechanism of Underdevelopment, 1980 )

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Three types of thinking ContendThree types of thinking Contend

Smithian neo-liberal economicsSmithian neo-liberal economics Listian productive power economicsListian productive power economics Shumpeterian innovation EconomicsShumpeterian innovation Economics We leave out Marxian economics because it We leave out Marxian economics because it

assumes industrial economy which is yet to be assumes industrial economy which is yet to be made in Africa and cannot be assumed toi made in Africa and cannot be assumed toi have been made alreadyhave been made already

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SmithSmith

Individual self-interest, division of labour, invisible Individual self-interest, division of labour, invisible hand, minimal state, free trade , exchange value , hand, minimal state, free trade , exchange value , comparative advantage in trade and the private comparative advantage in trade and the private economy of the individual – all good for creating economy of the individual – all good for creating abundance, serving society and zero sum game abundance, serving society and zero sum game between individual and nation, people, country, between individual and nation, people, country, society and humanity (ADAM SMITH)society and humanity (ADAM SMITH)

What is good for Robin Crusoe is good for the What is good for Robin Crusoe is good for the country, nation, society and the humanity! country, nation, society and the humanity!

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Frederich ListFrederich List

National interest, union of labour rather than division National interest, union of labour rather than division of labour, productive power, preference and accent of labour, productive power, preference and accent from the private to the national economy, infant from the private to the national economy, infant industry, protection of a national economy from industry, protection of a national economy from international trade, national unification and economic international trade, national unification and economic developmentdevelopment

What is good for the individual may not be for the What is good for the individual may not be for the nation, the country, the society or humanity!nation, the country, the society or humanity!

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SchumpeterSchumpeter

Creative destruction, business cycles, development, Creative destruction, business cycles, development, role of entreprenueurs (Mark I & II), evolutionary role of entreprenueurs (Mark I & II), evolutionary change, technological innovation, new combinations, change, technological innovation, new combinations, R & D and institutions, static and dymanic equlibriaR & D and institutions, static and dymanic equlibria

Economic development faces a sociological Economic development faces a sociological constraint in that when the new emerges the pre constraint in that when the new emerges the pre existing firm may have to go bankruptexisting firm may have to go bankrupt

The process is thus brutal, and policy is pivotal how The process is thus brutal, and policy is pivotal how to manage economic development!to manage economic development!

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Advice from Adam SmithAdvice from Adam Smith Open your economyOpen your economy Exchange that which you have a comparative advantage inExchange that which you have a comparative advantage in Do not interefer with the economy of the individualDo not interefer with the economy of the individual Do not use the state to organise the economy of the nationDo not use the state to organise the economy of the nation Use the invisible hand to get economic success and visibilityUse the invisible hand to get economic success and visibility Lesson for Africa from Smith: accept the current international Lesson for Africa from Smith: accept the current international

division of labour and hope for the best. The best may not division of labour and hope for the best. The best may not come, but persist until it comes even if you die or live in the come, but persist until it comes even if you die or live in the process!process!

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Advice from ListAdvice from List List says a national political economy facing constraints needs to find a List says a national political economy facing constraints needs to find a

way to organise transformation!way to organise transformation! Those that trade in raw materials and agriculture remain underdevelopedThose that trade in raw materials and agriculture remain underdeveloped Those that build productive power have made it (e.g.USA, Germany, Those that build productive power have made it (e.g.USA, Germany,

Japan, East Asian Tigers)Japan, East Asian Tigers) The lesson is clear: if a nation wants to develop, it has to organise its The lesson is clear: if a nation wants to develop, it has to organise its

national system of political economy with a logic of stimulating rapidly national system of political economy with a logic of stimulating rapidly and comprehensively productive power.and comprehensively productive power.

Otherwise it can have very rich minerals and agriculture , natural Otherwise it can have very rich minerals and agriculture , natural resources, and territorial size, but will remain underveloped!resources, and territorial size, but will remain underveloped!

Africa is rich in minerals, but it remains poor and will remain so unless it Africa is rich in minerals, but it remains poor and will remain so unless it emerges as an integrayted African national economy.emerges as an integrayted African national economy.

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SchumpeterSchumpeter Creative destructionCreative destruction Enterpreneurial new combinations (Mark I)Enterpreneurial new combinations (Mark I) Entrepreneurial new combinations through Entrepreneurial new combinations through

coroporate R & Dcoroporate R & D Evolutionary change through embedding Evolutionary change through embedding

technological innovationtechnological innovation Building knowledge and learning: innovation , R & Building knowledge and learning: innovation , R &

D, instuition, policy, incentives for dynamic D, instuition, policy, incentives for dynamic evolution, ventursome entrepreneur that can create, evolution, ventursome entrepreneur that can create, combine seek new organisations and markets and combine seek new organisations and markets and new sources, business cycles, technological change new sources, business cycles, technological change for development are relevant considerations!for development are relevant considerations!

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In relation to Africa’s needs to growIn relation to Africa’s needs to grow

Smithian thought has dominated most of the neo-liberal economic growth strategy Smithian thought has dominated most of the neo-liberal economic growth strategy that ruled thought in Africa!that ruled thought in Africa!

Comparative advantage based on selling primary goods, not industrial strategy for Comparative advantage based on selling primary goods, not industrial strategy for selling manufactured goods dominates Africa’s economic growth landscapeselling manufactured goods dominates Africa’s economic growth landscape

China emerging as a manufacturing power house, Africa is seen as the penetrable, China emerging as a manufacturing power house, Africa is seen as the penetrable, invadable victim mooted to continue to sell its minerals to the ressource hungry invadable victim mooted to continue to sell its minerals to the ressource hungry even as it suffers ressource course, and its agricultureto markets that may not be even as it suffers ressource course, and its agricultureto markets that may not be accessable accessable

List’s thought is strong on prefering state direction of industrial strategy to make a List’s thought is strong on prefering state direction of industrial strategy to make a nation such as the Africa nation to undertake deliberate industrialisationnation such as the Africa nation to undertake deliberate industrialisation

Attempts to use technology suggest that Schumpeter endogenises knowledge, Attempts to use technology suggest that Schumpeter endogenises knowledge, policy and strategy togetherpolicy and strategy together

More of List, more of Schumpeter and for the moment less Adam Smith mean More of List, more of Schumpeter and for the moment less Adam Smith mean more state and industrial strategy and less market and selling minerals and more state and industrial strategy and less market and selling minerals and agriculture for Africa!agriculture for Africa!

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What this brief overview of major thinkers show:What this brief overview of major thinkers show:

About time to rethink how Africa might develop About time to rethink how Africa might develop Appreciation of its needs and problemsAppreciation of its needs and problems New approaches necessary to create a new robust economy in AfricaNew approaches necessary to create a new robust economy in Africa Africa needs to create a nnational economyAfrica needs to create a nnational economy With harmony of interest amongst agriculture, manufacture and servicesWith harmony of interest amongst agriculture, manufacture and services Integrated labour , capaital and knowldge networksIntegrated labour , capaital and knowldge networks If we frame Africa’s development with this new concerns to bring about If we frame Africa’s development with this new concerns to bring about

an integrated African industrial economy an integrated African industrial economy How should we conceptualise the growth paths?How should we conceptualise the growth paths? Through catch up and modernisation and linear stages of growth or co-Through catch up and modernisation and linear stages of growth or co-

evolutionary transformation?evolutionary transformation? Through making innovation systems for co-evolution or catch up or linear Through making innovation systems for co-evolution or catch up or linear

growth?growth? How is the difference between innovation system for catch up and How is the difference between innovation system for catch up and

innovation system for generating and managing co-evolutionary innovation system for generating and managing co-evolutionary harmonised interests and dynamics?harmonised interests and dynamics?

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Difference: catch up vs. co-evolutionDifference: catch up vs. co-evolution

For catch upFor catch up CompetitionCompetition Conflict of interestConflict of interest Priority to manufacture Priority to manufacture policy that encourages policy that encourages

certain activities and certain activities and discourages othersdiscourages others

For Co-evolutionFor Co-evolution Guided CompetitionGuided Competition Harmony of interestsHarmony of interests Equal priority to Equal priority to

agriculture, manufacture agriculture, manufacture and servicesand services

Policy that is not Policy that is not discrminatory amongst discrminatory amongst key branches of the key branches of the economyeconomy

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Innovation system buildingInnovation system building

All innovation systems have elements, All innovation systems have elements, components, partscomponents, parts

All innovation systems have linkages, All innovation systems have linkages, interconnections and interactionsinterconnections and interactions

All innovation systems have boundaries All innovation systems have boundaries (spatial, sectoral, technological, etc)(spatial, sectoral, technological, etc)

We must identify such elements in the African We must identify such elements in the African contextcontext

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Some of the Key System of Some of the Key System of innovation elements?innovation elements?

Conceptual frame and ideas of governingConceptual frame and ideas of governing Policy settingPolicy setting ActorsActors Specific unit for system generation (e.g., national, sectoral, Specific unit for system generation (e.g., national, sectoral,

regional, community and so on)regional, community and so on) InstitutionsInstitutions KnowledgeKnowledge TechnologiesTechnologies ActivitiesActivities IncentivesIncentives

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Politics•Ideology•Governance•Institutions•policies

KnowledgeTechnologyHybrids

Economics•Market•Agents•Incentives

Space•Nation•Region•Local•city

Innovation•Product•Process•Organisational•institutional

Firm•SME•MNC•SOE

Sector•Agriculture•Manufacturing•Pharmacy•electronics

Technology•ICT•Nano-tech•Bio-tech

System of Innovation

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System of innovation buildingSystem of innovation building Are the included or selected elements specifically related to Are the included or selected elements specifically related to

innovation creation, absorption, transfer and adaptation or innovation creation, absorption, transfer and adaptation or not?not?

Does the interaction facilitate certain outcomes and hinder Does the interaction facilitate certain outcomes and hinder others?others?

Does the interaction lock in the system of innovation to certain Does the interaction lock in the system of innovation to certain paths of development?paths of development?

How and who facilitates system openess?How and who facilitates system openess? How can the system building prevent locking out potential How can the system building prevent locking out potential

paths of development that may come from outside the system?paths of development that may come from outside the system? For example, the opportunity to harness community level For example, the opportunity to harness community level

broad-based innovation by lock out!broad-based innovation by lock out!

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Analytically selecting a System Analytically selecting a System boundary?boundary?

Boundaries range spatially from local to city, community, region, national Boundaries range spatially from local to city, community, region, national and global- where to draw the boundary? Who to include and who to and global- where to draw the boundary? Who to include and who to exclude?exclude?

Boundaries if related to production: (e.g., industry, firms, sectors, global Boundaries if related to production: (e.g., industry, firms, sectors, global firms)firms)

Boundaries if related to technology: high tech, low tech and intermediateBoundaries if related to technology: high tech, low tech and intermediate Boundaries within a country or nation: urban rural, industrial agricultural, Boundaries within a country or nation: urban rural, industrial agricultural,

high- tech, medium-tech, low-tech, technology absorbing or technology high- tech, medium-tech, low-tech, technology absorbing or technology generating and so ongenerating and so on

Boundaries can be narrow to exclude or broader to include!Boundaries can be narrow to exclude or broader to include! Boundaries are not necessarily fixed, they can be flexible and amenable to Boundaries are not necessarily fixed, they can be flexible and amenable to

intelligent adjustment!intelligent adjustment!

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Broadening the innovation systemBroadening the innovation system

In Africa the community is often neglectedIn Africa the community is often neglected Nearly 70 % of the people live in rural communitiesNearly 70 % of the people live in rural communities The community is a key site of well being and economic and cultural lifeThe community is a key site of well being and economic and cultural life lThere is thus a need to add community, university, along with the public lThere is thus a need to add community, university, along with the public

and private sectors-and private sectors- Something like a community system of innovation: where private sector, Something like a community system of innovation: where private sector,

the university, community and local government join to convert the university, community and local government join to convert knowledge for stimulating grassroots innovation, knowledge for stimulating grassroots innovation,

Need incentives to twin the politics and economics in Africa to support Need incentives to twin the politics and economics in Africa to support such developments from rent-seeking politics to public-service –seeking such developments from rent-seeking politics to public-service –seeking politics to support a community anchored ‘ventursome African economy’.politics to support a community anchored ‘ventursome African economy’.

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Organising Innovation System for Organising Innovation System for African DevelopmentAfrican Development

Organising system of innovation for catch upOrganising system of innovation for catch up How open is ’catch up’ to reach advanced levels for African How open is ’catch up’ to reach advanced levels for African

economies bar a few that are now in the semi-periphery(.e.g. economies bar a few that are now in the semi-periphery(.e.g. South Africa)South Africa)

To develop or reach the level of advanced economiesTo develop or reach the level of advanced economies For economic competitionFor economic competition For economic growthFor economic growth Industrialisation and modernisationIndustrialisation and modernisation linear progress increase national income,linear progress increase national income, Improve social system and strengthen institutionsImprove social system and strengthen institutions Technology acquistionTechnology acquistion Create wealth and so on..Create wealth and so on..

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Organising for innovation and Organising for innovation and African developmentAfrican development

Modernise social-economic developmentModernise social-economic development Political transformation( nation building, partcipation, cultural Political transformation( nation building, partcipation, cultural

integration and redistribution) integration and redistribution) Cultural change (Community& solidarity vs.self-interest and Cultural change (Community& solidarity vs.self-interest and

competition) competition) Attain structural differentiationAttain structural differentiation Functional specialisationFunctional specialisation Go through the historical stages of economic development Go through the historical stages of economic development

(e.g. Smith, Marx,List, Rostow and others)(e.g. Smith, Marx,List, Rostow and others) Join the universal development process because it is an Join the universal development process because it is an

unvoidable fact that social evolution is a process of social unvoidable fact that social evolution is a process of social differentiation linearly growing from the simple to the differentiation linearly growing from the simple to the complexcomplex

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How Open is Catch up to Africa?How Open is Catch up to Africa? Given the lack of horizontal integrationGiven the lack of horizontal integration Continued raw material based African economyContinued raw material based African economy Given the international division of labour where Given the international division of labour where

Africa remains at the bottomAfrica remains at the bottom The colonial hangoverThe colonial hangover The elites rent seeking behaviourThe elites rent seeking behaviour The time it takes to catch up is unknownThe time it takes to catch up is unknown Many African economies as they are now may not Many African economies as they are now may not

catch up, bar a few such as perhaps South Africa!catch up, bar a few such as perhaps South Africa! Assuming the great opportunities overcome the Assuming the great opportunities overcome the

numerous problems of South Africa!numerous problems of South Africa!

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If catch up is doubtful ?If catch up is doubtful ?

We need to serach for alternativeWe need to serach for alternative Find a ctach up direction that builds on Find a ctach up direction that builds on

creating community development and creating community development and ecological integrityecological integrity

Community system of innovation needs to Community system of innovation needs to enjoy policy priority equal to others priortiesenjoy policy priority equal to others priorties

Creating knowledge intensity for community Creating knowledge intensity for community developmentdevelopment

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From Linear Catch Up to Co-From Linear Catch Up to Co-evolutionary catch upevolutionary catch up

What do we mean by a co-evolutionary catch What do we mean by a co-evolutionary catch upup

We know what linear catch up isWe know what linear catch up is What it is notWhat it is not It is not the co-evolution of technology and It is not the co-evolution of technology and

institutions that evolutionary economics and institutions that evolutionary economics and systems of innovation argue for that I am systems of innovation argue for that I am using here!using here!

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Linkages for Co-evolutionLinkages for Co-evolution

Efficient or Inefficient National Innovation System

Infrastructure:

Science & Technology,

Intellectual Property Rights,

Government Policy, ICT, and

S&T Culture.

Investment:

R&D Expenditure and

Government R&D Support,

Venture Capital, and FDI.

Relations and

Linkages:

University-Industry Linkages,

Public R&D and Industry,

Globalisation of MNC R&D,

Transnational Networks.

Knowledge and Talent:

Education and Human

Resources development, and

Labour Flexibility.

Figure 2: Linkages between Institutions, Technologies, Knowledge

and Incentives in NIS

Efficient or Inefficient National Innovation System

Infrastructure:

Science & Technology,

Intellectual Property Rights,

Government Policy, ICT, and

S&T Culture.

Investment:

R&D Expenditure and

Government R&D Support,

Venture Capital, and FDI.

Relations and

Linkages:

University-Industry Linkages,

Public R&D and Industry,

Globalisation of MNC R&D,

Transnational Networks.

Knowledge and Talent:

Education and Human

Resources development, and

Labour Flexibility.

Figure 2: Linkages between Institutions, Technologies, Knowledge

and Incentives in NIS

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Co-evolutionary catch upCo-evolutionary catch up

Institutions, knowledge intensives that make possible Institutions, knowledge intensives that make possible co-evolutionary dynamic change amongst agriculture, co-evolutionary dynamic change amongst agriculture, industry and services, rural and urban communities industry and services, rural and urban communities and regions within a given African economic space and regions within a given African economic space by building policy that stimulates harmonious co-by building policy that stimulates harmonious co-evolutionevolution

We capture this co-evolutionary transformation by We capture this co-evolutionary transformation by bringing up and highlighting a community system of bringing up and highlighting a community system of innovationinnovation

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Community System of InnovationCommunity System of Innovation

To date the most popularised system of To date the most popularised system of innnovation is the National Level!innnovation is the National Level!

The issues for policy have been framed with The issues for policy have been framed with technology or innovation catch up and technology or innovation catch up and developmentdevelopment

The relevant institutions are those that create The relevant institutions are those that create knowlege , R & Dknowlege , R & D

The actors are industry- university-The actors are industry- university-Government interactionsGovernment interactions

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Broad-Based InnovationBroad-Based Innovation Need to widen the innovation system to the Need to widen the innovation system to the

community level to include the excluded and serve community level to include the excluded and serve the unserved!the unserved!

Establish a Community Innovation System(CIS) to Establish a Community Innovation System(CIS) to promote broad-based innovationpromote broad-based innovation

Redifine community level elementsRedifine community level elements Broaden the boundary to include the community as Broaden the boundary to include the community as

part of the interaction of Government, industry, part of the interaction of Government, industry, university and communityuniversity and community

Redifine institutions, incentives, regulations and Redifine institutions, incentives, regulations and policy to accommodate community level knowing policy to accommodate community level knowing and grassroots innovation!and grassroots innovation!

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Definition: what can be a community Definition: what can be a community system of innovation?system of innovation?

An ability by a community to mobilise and use An ability by a community to mobilise and use resources, organise knowledge and human resources, organise knowledge and human capital training, deploy institutions, put in capital training, deploy institutions, put in place incentives and regulations, to carry out place incentives and regulations, to carry out the favourite experiments, activities and the favourite experiments, activities and functions undertaken by citizens by converting functions undertaken by citizens by converting their tacit and explicit knowledge into their tacit and explicit knowledge into innovations.innovations.

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definitiondefinition

The active engagement and support by The active engagement and support by Governments, industries, universities and Governments, industries, universities and other actors in and with the community’s other actors in and with the community’s efforts to create and transform existing efforts to create and transform existing knowledge into innovation by identifying and knowledge into innovation by identifying and applying the knowledge converted into applying the knowledge converted into innovations to address social and innovations to address social and environmental challenges at the grassroots environmental challenges at the grassroots level.level.

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Definition-cont’dDefinition-cont’d

Governments support through constructive Governments support through constructive policy, universities by providing top research policy, universities by providing top research to identify the knowledge that exists at the to identify the knowledge that exists at the community level and industry by helping in community level and industry by helping in the process of conversion of the community the process of conversion of the community knowledge into innovation, and the knowledge into innovation, and the community is empowered to use the community is empowered to use the knowledge inside to create innovation and knowledge inside to create innovation and wealth!wealth!

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BroadeningBroadening

Many people in the rural areas and the urban Many people in the rural areas and the urban economy are in a web of large informal activities economy are in a web of large informal activities

Life is static and often essential services for well Life is static and often essential services for well being are unavailabe or if they exist are inadequate!being are unavailabe or if they exist are inadequate!

There is a need to think differently- out of the box of There is a need to think differently- out of the box of linear progress into co-evolution through the concept linear progress into co-evolution through the concept of the Community System of Innovation to bring up of the Community System of Innovation to bring up the case for transformation.the case for transformation.

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From Linearity to co-evolutionFrom Linearity to co-evolution What is needed is a strategy of co-evolutionWhat is needed is a strategy of co-evolution Where rural communities become modernWhere rural communities become modern Without necessarily becoming urban and industrialWithout necessarily becoming urban and industrial And all the services, education, health, energy, sanitation, clean water, And all the services, education, health, energy, sanitation, clean water,

transport and housing are upgraded by supporting the community system transport and housing are upgraded by supporting the community system of innovation, equal to the support of innovation systems at the national, of innovation, equal to the support of innovation systems at the national, regional, secttoral or technology levels by using S & T.regional, secttoral or technology levels by using S & T.

By spreading the community system of innovation for broad based By spreading the community system of innovation for broad based innovation for grassroots transformative livelihood changes from innovation for grassroots transformative livelihood changes from community ill-being into community comprehensive well-being, we create community ill-being into community comprehensive well-being, we create a new log or brand name for national incentive to address directly the a new log or brand name for national incentive to address directly the needs of real communities and peoples.needs of real communities and peoples.

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Building knowledge intensity in Building knowledge intensity in communitiescommunities

We may have to do both: Build productive power to We may have to do both: Build productive power to transform selected sectors to a stage of manufacture transform selected sectors to a stage of manufacture whilst including the excluded communities by whilst including the excluded communities by promoting boraod-based innovation. promoting boraod-based innovation.

Combine both top end and bottom up proceses by Combine both top end and bottom up proceses by framing transformation with co-evolutionary change.framing transformation with co-evolutionary change.

Not think of changing agriculture into manufactue but Not think of changing agriculture into manufactue but modernise agriculture along with manufacture.modernise agriculture along with manufacture.

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Establishing Links:Community to Establishing Links:Community to the Private sectorthe Private sector

The private sector in science and technology: role more on funding The private sector in science and technology: role more on funding innovation not inventioninnovation not invention

The private sector in the community: help knowledge to become inovationThe private sector in the community: help knowledge to become inovation The private sector with each other: share certain risks together, colloborate The private sector with each other: share certain risks together, colloborate

and competeand compete The private sector with government: partnershipThe private sector with government: partnership Private sector in stimulating inter-African integration: producer-user Private sector in stimulating inter-African integration: producer-user

interactioninteraction The private sector with the global corporate sector: Try to find niches in The private sector with the global corporate sector: Try to find niches in

the global marketthe global market Managing all these connections: Policy learning continousManaging all these connections: Policy learning continous The incentives to do them all…critical to develop themThe incentives to do them all…critical to develop them

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Community links to public sectorCommunity links to public sector The public sector in science and technology : role more on invention, less The public sector in science and technology : role more on invention, less

on innovationon innovation The public sector in the community: critical to formulate reguatory The public sector in the community: critical to formulate reguatory

framework, resources and incentives for knowledge intensity in framework, resources and incentives for knowledge intensity in community transformationcommunity transformation

Inter-Public sector interaction: important to address with combined and Inter-Public sector interaction: important to address with combined and coordinated strength the needs of communitiescoordinated strength the needs of communities

The public sector with the private sector: need to do well by coordinating The public sector with the private sector: need to do well by coordinating and pulling resources to stimulate developmentand pulling resources to stimulate development

Public sector inter-African interaction for African Integration: Uganda Public sector inter-African interaction for African Integration: Uganda and South Africa partnership..and South Africa partnership..

Managing all these connections: overall direction and responsible the state Managing all these connections: overall direction and responsible the state with its planning rational to steer co-evolving transformation with its planning rational to steer co-evolving transformation

Incentives to do them all must be built in the processIncentives to do them all must be built in the process

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Community Links with UniversitiesCommunity Links with Universities

University research focus on communitiesUniversity research focus on communities Excavate what the communities knowExcavate what the communities know Find ways of how this knowledge may be Find ways of how this knowledge may be

promoted to innovationpromoted to innovation Suggest various ways of how the quadruple Suggest various ways of how the quadruple

helicies can be organisedhelicies can be organised Co-evolution promoted!Co-evolution promoted!

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Innovative thinking needed?Innovative thinking needed?

Meanwhile as the policy pundits keep Meanwhile as the policy pundits keep peddling competiveness and other aspirations peddling competiveness and other aspirations to reach industrial statusto reach industrial status

Many people in the rural areas and the urban Many people in the rural areas and the urban townships suffertownships suffer

There is a need to think differentlyThere is a need to think differently Try to address the problems of those who live Try to address the problems of those who live

in the rural areas with equal policy in the rural areas with equal policy commitmentcommitment

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From linear Progress to Co-From linear Progress to Co-evolutionevolution

What is needed is a strategy of co-evolutionWhat is needed is a strategy of co-evolution Where rural communities become modernWhere rural communities become modern Without becoming urban and industrialWithout becoming urban and industrial And all the services, education, health, energy, And all the services, education, health, energy,

sanitation, clean water, transport and housing sanitation, clean water, transport and housing are upgradedare upgraded

By spreading the community system of By spreading the community system of innovation for broad based innovation.innovation for broad based innovation.

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PrioritiesPriorities

In Africa, CIS have to be made;In Africa, CIS have to be made; a need to launch a CIS movementa need to launch a CIS movement Priorities: rural services: health, agriculture, Priorities: rural services: health, agriculture,

education, water, energy, transport and infrastructureeducation, water, energy, transport and infrastructure Identifying local knowledge that can be turned into Identifying local knowledge that can be turned into

innovationinnovation Integrating the triple helicies with the comunitiesIntegrating the triple helicies with the comunities And generating opportunities for wealth creationAnd generating opportunities for wealth creation

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ConclusionConclusion

key policy advice:key policy advice: Co-evolutionCo-evolution Modernise rural areas and townshipsModernise rural areas and townships Integrate the quadra- heliciesIntegrate the quadra- helicies And the low hanging fruits will fall and will be And the low hanging fruits will fall and will be

delicious!delicious! And the rest is to hope for the best!And the rest is to hope for the best!

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conclusionconclusion

Intgrated African national economyIntgrated African national economy Unleashing co-evolutionary dynamicsUnleashing co-evolutionary dynamics Robust policyRobust policy Robust instuitionsRobust instuitions Build from the base.. The communityBuild from the base.. The community Create the quadra-heliciesCreate the quadra-helicies And make the African system of innovation!And make the African system of innovation!

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Finally!Finally!

By Putting Africa FirstBy Putting Africa First End the raw dealEnd the raw deal Bring a fair dealBring a fair deal By standing up to challenge the unending imposition By standing up to challenge the unending imposition

of wrong ideas backed by development aid to keep of wrong ideas backed by development aid to keep Africa as a charity case!Africa as a charity case!

Africa can resist this and emerge as an industrial Africa can resist this and emerge as an industrial economyeconomy

This must be undertaken even if there is opposition!This must be undertaken even if there is opposition!