Human Capital and the Innovation System – Case Study of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Innovation plays an important role in economic
growth and development. Evolutionary economics has entrepreneurs
at the centre of the innovation system, but includes all other
participants as contributors to the performance of the innovation
system. Education and training institutions, one of the participants in
the innovation system, contributes in different ways to human capital.
The gap in literature on the competence building as part of human
capital in the analysis of innovation systems is addressed in this
paper. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa is used as a case
study. It was found that the absence of a university, the level of
education, the quality and performance in the education sector and
the condition of the education infrastructure have not been conducive
to learning.
[1] L. Soete, “Knowledge, policy and innovation,” in National innovation,
indicators and policy, L. Earl & F. Gault, Eds. Cheltenham: Edward
Elgar, 2006, pp. 198-218.
[2] U. R. V. Urriago, A. Modrego, A. Barge-Gil & E. Paraskevopoulou,
“The impact of science and technology parks on firms’ radical product
innovation. Empirical evidence from Spain,” DRUID conference, 2010,
Imperial College Business School, London, unpublished.
[3] The World Bank, Innovation policy: a guide for developing countries.
Washington: World Bank, 2010.
[4] J.A. Schumpeter, The theory of economic development: and inquiry into
profits, capital, credit, interest and the business cycle. Translated by R.
Opie, USA: Harvard University Press, 1961.
[5] C. Freeman, Ed. The economics of industrial innovation. London:
Frances Printer, 1982.
[6] D. Archibugi, & A. Coco, “A new indicator of technological capabilities
for developed and developing countries (ArCo),” World Development,
Vol. 32, no.4, pp. 629-654, 2004.
[7] J. Howells, “Innovation and regional economic development: a matter of
perspective,” Research Policy, Vol. 34 pp. 1220-1234, 2005.
[8] J. Fagerberg & M. Srholec, “National innovation systems, capabilities
and economic development,” Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 1417-1435,
2008.
[9] M.E. Eggink, “The role of innovation in economic development,”
D.Com. thesis, Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2012.
[10] M.E. Eggink, “The components of an innovation system: a conceptual
innovation system framework,” Journal of Innovation and Business Best
Practice, 2013.
[11] C. Edquist, “Systems of innovation: perspectives and challenges,” in The
Oxford handbook of innovation, J. Fagerberg, D.C. Mowery & R.R.
Nelson, Eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 181-208.
[12] H. Etzkowitz, A. Webster, C. Gebhardt& B.R.C. Terra, “The future of
the university and the university of the future: evolution of ivory tower
to entrepreneurial paradigm,” Research Policy, Vol. 29 pp. 313-330,
2000.
[13] D.C. Mowery & B.N. Sampat, “Universities in The Oxford handbook of
innovation National Innovation Systems, in J. Fagerberg, D.C. Mowery
& R.R. Nelson Eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, pp.209-
239.
[14] C. Gunasekara, “Reframing the role of universities in the development
of regional innovation systems,” Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol.
31 pp.101-113, 2006.
[15] P. Wong, Y. Ho & A. Singh, “Towards an “Entrepreneurial University”
model to support knowledge-based economic development: the case of
the National University of Singapore,” World Development, Vol. 35, no.
6 pp. 941-958, 2007.
[16] A. Bramwell & D.A. Wolfe, “Universities and regional economic
development: the entrepreneurial University of Waterloo,” Research
Policy, Vol. 37, pp. 1175-1187, 2008.
[17] J. Youtie & P. Shapira, “Building an innovation hub: a case study of the
transformation of university roles in technological and economic
development,” Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 1188-1204, 2008.
[18] I. Petersen & J. Rumbelow, “University-firm interaction in South Africa:
extent and intensity,” VI Globelics Conference, Mexico City. Sept.
2008, unpublished.
[19] K. Kaymaz & K.Y. Eryiğit, “Determining factors hindering universityindustry
collaboration: an analysis from the perspective of academicians
in the context of entrepreneurial science paradigm,” International
Journal of Social Inquiry, Vol. 4, no. 1 pp. 185-213, 2011.
[20] H. Etzkowitz & L. Leydesdorff, Eds. Universities and the global
knowledge economy: a triple helix of university-industry-government
relations. London: Continuum, 1997.
[21] I. Liefner & D. Schiller, “Academic capabilities in developing countries
– a conceptual framework with empirical illustrations from Thailand,”
Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 276-293, 2008.
[22] Statistics South Africa, Provincial profile 2004: Mpumalanga. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2006, (Report No. 00-91-08(2004)).
[23] Statistics South Africa, Quarterly Labour Force Survey: Quarter 3,
October 2013. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa, 2013, (Statistical
Release P0211).
[24] Mpumalanga Provincial Government: Finance Department, An analysis
of poverty in Mpumalanga, 1996-2012. Mbombela: Mpumalanga
Provincial Government: Finance Department, 2013.
[25] Statistics South Africa, Census 2011: Provinces at a glance. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2012, (Report no: 03-01-43).
[26] H. A. Goldstein, “What we know and what we don’t know about the
regional economic impacts of universities,” in Universities, knowledge
transfer and regional development, R. Varga, Ed. Cheltenham: Edward
Elgar, 2009, pp. 11-35.
[27] K. Schwab Ed. The global competitiveness report: 2011-2012, Geneva:
World Economic Forum, 2011. [28] Y. Miyata, “An analysis of research and innovative activities of
universities in the United States,” in The international handbook on
innovation, L.V. Shavinina, Ed. Oxford: Elsevier, 2003, pp. 715-738.
[29] M.E. Porter & S. Stern, “National innovative capacity,” in The Global
Competitiveness Report: 2001-200, New York: Oxford University Press,
2001.
[30] J. Orford, M. Herrington & E. Wood, Eds. Global Entrepreneurship
Monitor 2004. South African Repor, Cape Town: University of Cape
Town, 2004.
[31] E. W. Nafziger, Economic development. 4thed. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
[32] W. H. Thomas, “Promoting entrepreneurship among black South
Africans,” in Entrepreneurship and economic growth, W.B. Vosloo, Ed.
Pretoria: HSRC Publishers, pp. 373-383, 1994.
[33] W. B. Vosloo, “The nature of business entrepreneurship,” in
Entrepreneurship and economic growth, W. B. Vosloo, Ed. Pretoria:
HSRC Publishers, pp. 147-158, 1994.
[34] M. Scerri, Modes of innovation and the evolution of the South African
National System of Innovation. Pretoria: Institute for Economic Research
on Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, 2009, IERI working
paper 2009-002.
[35] J. F. Fedderke, Technology, human capital and growth, Economic
Research Southern Africa, 2005, Working paper no. 27.
[36] D. Schiller, B. Mildahn, & J.R. Diez, “Barriers against the transfer of
knowledge between universities and industry in newly-industrialised
countries: an analysis of university-industry linkages in Thailand,” in R.
Varga, Ed. Universities, knowledge transfer and regional development,
Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2005, pp. 295-320.
[37] K. Schwab, Ed. The global competitiveness report, 2012-1013, Geneva:
World economic forum, 2012.
[38] M. Von Broembsen, E. Wood & M. Herrington, Global
Entrepreneurship Monitor: South African Report 2005. South Africa:
GEM, 2005.
[39] Statistics South Africa, General household survey, 2010. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2011, Statistical release P0318.
[40] Statistics South Africa, General household survey July 2003. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2004, Statistical Release P0318.
[41] South Africa (Republic), National Treasury, Provincial budgets and
expenditure review: 2005/06 – 2011/12, Pretoria: National Treasury,
2009, Report No. 229/2009.
[42] South Africa (Republic), Department of Basic Education, Report on the
National Senior Certificate examination results, 2009, Pretoria:
Department of Basic Education, 2010.
[43] South Africa (Republic), Department of Basic Education 2011, Report
on the National Senior Certificate examination results, 2010, Pretoria:
Department of Basic Education, 2011.
[44] Mpumalanga Premier promises to stop matric exam leaks, The Teacher,
Feb. 25, 2010.
[45] More arrests likely in Mpumalanga matric results scandal, SABC News,
May 28, 2010.
[46] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Department of Education, Annual
performance plan (Strategic plan) 2008/09 to 2010/11. Mbombela: The
Department, 2008.
[47] G. Rooks & L. Oerlemans, “South Africa: A rising star? Assessing the
X-effectiveness of South Africa’s national system of innovation,”
European Planning Studies, Vol. 13, no. 8, Dec. 2005, pp. 1205-1222.
[48] M.E. Porter & K. Schwab, Eds. The global competitiveness report:
2008-2009, World Economic Forum, 2008.
[49] J. Bijl, From Technikon to University of Technology, Nelspruit Campus,
1992-2009: A historical outline. Mbombela: Tshwane University of
Technology, 2009.
[50] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Mpumalanga economic growth
and development path, Mpumalanga Provincial Government:
Mbombela, 2011.
[51] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Provincial human resource
development strategy, Volume 1, Mpumalanga Provincial Government:
Mbombela, 2012.
[1] L. Soete, “Knowledge, policy and innovation,” in National innovation,
indicators and policy, L. Earl & F. Gault, Eds. Cheltenham: Edward
Elgar, 2006, pp. 198-218.
[2] U. R. V. Urriago, A. Modrego, A. Barge-Gil & E. Paraskevopoulou,
“The impact of science and technology parks on firms’ radical product
innovation. Empirical evidence from Spain,” DRUID conference, 2010,
Imperial College Business School, London, unpublished.
[3] The World Bank, Innovation policy: a guide for developing countries.
Washington: World Bank, 2010.
[4] J.A. Schumpeter, The theory of economic development: and inquiry into
profits, capital, credit, interest and the business cycle. Translated by R.
Opie, USA: Harvard University Press, 1961.
[5] C. Freeman, Ed. The economics of industrial innovation. London:
Frances Printer, 1982.
[6] D. Archibugi, & A. Coco, “A new indicator of technological capabilities
for developed and developing countries (ArCo),” World Development,
Vol. 32, no.4, pp. 629-654, 2004.
[7] J. Howells, “Innovation and regional economic development: a matter of
perspective,” Research Policy, Vol. 34 pp. 1220-1234, 2005.
[8] J. Fagerberg & M. Srholec, “National innovation systems, capabilities
and economic development,” Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 1417-1435,
2008.
[9] M.E. Eggink, “The role of innovation in economic development,”
D.Com. thesis, Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2012.
[10] M.E. Eggink, “The components of an innovation system: a conceptual
innovation system framework,” Journal of Innovation and Business Best
Practice, 2013.
[11] C. Edquist, “Systems of innovation: perspectives and challenges,” in The
Oxford handbook of innovation, J. Fagerberg, D.C. Mowery & R.R.
Nelson, Eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 181-208.
[12] H. Etzkowitz, A. Webster, C. Gebhardt& B.R.C. Terra, “The future of
the university and the university of the future: evolution of ivory tower
to entrepreneurial paradigm,” Research Policy, Vol. 29 pp. 313-330,
2000.
[13] D.C. Mowery & B.N. Sampat, “Universities in The Oxford handbook of
innovation National Innovation Systems, in J. Fagerberg, D.C. Mowery
& R.R. Nelson Eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, pp.209-
239.
[14] C. Gunasekara, “Reframing the role of universities in the development
of regional innovation systems,” Journal of Technology Transfer, Vol.
31 pp.101-113, 2006.
[15] P. Wong, Y. Ho & A. Singh, “Towards an “Entrepreneurial University”
model to support knowledge-based economic development: the case of
the National University of Singapore,” World Development, Vol. 35, no.
6 pp. 941-958, 2007.
[16] A. Bramwell & D.A. Wolfe, “Universities and regional economic
development: the entrepreneurial University of Waterloo,” Research
Policy, Vol. 37, pp. 1175-1187, 2008.
[17] J. Youtie & P. Shapira, “Building an innovation hub: a case study of the
transformation of university roles in technological and economic
development,” Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 1188-1204, 2008.
[18] I. Petersen & J. Rumbelow, “University-firm interaction in South Africa:
extent and intensity,” VI Globelics Conference, Mexico City. Sept.
2008, unpublished.
[19] K. Kaymaz & K.Y. Eryiğit, “Determining factors hindering universityindustry
collaboration: an analysis from the perspective of academicians
in the context of entrepreneurial science paradigm,” International
Journal of Social Inquiry, Vol. 4, no. 1 pp. 185-213, 2011.
[20] H. Etzkowitz & L. Leydesdorff, Eds. Universities and the global
knowledge economy: a triple helix of university-industry-government
relations. London: Continuum, 1997.
[21] I. Liefner & D. Schiller, “Academic capabilities in developing countries
– a conceptual framework with empirical illustrations from Thailand,”
Research Policy, Vol. 37 pp. 276-293, 2008.
[22] Statistics South Africa, Provincial profile 2004: Mpumalanga. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2006, (Report No. 00-91-08(2004)).
[23] Statistics South Africa, Quarterly Labour Force Survey: Quarter 3,
October 2013. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa, 2013, (Statistical
Release P0211).
[24] Mpumalanga Provincial Government: Finance Department, An analysis
of poverty in Mpumalanga, 1996-2012. Mbombela: Mpumalanga
Provincial Government: Finance Department, 2013.
[25] Statistics South Africa, Census 2011: Provinces at a glance. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2012, (Report no: 03-01-43).
[26] H. A. Goldstein, “What we know and what we don’t know about the
regional economic impacts of universities,” in Universities, knowledge
transfer and regional development, R. Varga, Ed. Cheltenham: Edward
Elgar, 2009, pp. 11-35.
[27] K. Schwab Ed. The global competitiveness report: 2011-2012, Geneva:
World Economic Forum, 2011. [28] Y. Miyata, “An analysis of research and innovative activities of
universities in the United States,” in The international handbook on
innovation, L.V. Shavinina, Ed. Oxford: Elsevier, 2003, pp. 715-738.
[29] M.E. Porter & S. Stern, “National innovative capacity,” in The Global
Competitiveness Report: 2001-200, New York: Oxford University Press,
2001.
[30] J. Orford, M. Herrington & E. Wood, Eds. Global Entrepreneurship
Monitor 2004. South African Repor, Cape Town: University of Cape
Town, 2004.
[31] E. W. Nafziger, Economic development. 4thed. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
[32] W. H. Thomas, “Promoting entrepreneurship among black South
Africans,” in Entrepreneurship and economic growth, W.B. Vosloo, Ed.
Pretoria: HSRC Publishers, pp. 373-383, 1994.
[33] W. B. Vosloo, “The nature of business entrepreneurship,” in
Entrepreneurship and economic growth, W. B. Vosloo, Ed. Pretoria:
HSRC Publishers, pp. 147-158, 1994.
[34] M. Scerri, Modes of innovation and the evolution of the South African
National System of Innovation. Pretoria: Institute for Economic Research
on Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, 2009, IERI working
paper 2009-002.
[35] J. F. Fedderke, Technology, human capital and growth, Economic
Research Southern Africa, 2005, Working paper no. 27.
[36] D. Schiller, B. Mildahn, & J.R. Diez, “Barriers against the transfer of
knowledge between universities and industry in newly-industrialised
countries: an analysis of university-industry linkages in Thailand,” in R.
Varga, Ed. Universities, knowledge transfer and regional development,
Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2005, pp. 295-320.
[37] K. Schwab, Ed. The global competitiveness report, 2012-1013, Geneva:
World economic forum, 2012.
[38] M. Von Broembsen, E. Wood & M. Herrington, Global
Entrepreneurship Monitor: South African Report 2005. South Africa:
GEM, 2005.
[39] Statistics South Africa, General household survey, 2010. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2011, Statistical release P0318.
[40] Statistics South Africa, General household survey July 2003. Pretoria:
Statistics South Africa, 2004, Statistical Release P0318.
[41] South Africa (Republic), National Treasury, Provincial budgets and
expenditure review: 2005/06 – 2011/12, Pretoria: National Treasury,
2009, Report No. 229/2009.
[42] South Africa (Republic), Department of Basic Education, Report on the
National Senior Certificate examination results, 2009, Pretoria:
Department of Basic Education, 2010.
[43] South Africa (Republic), Department of Basic Education 2011, Report
on the National Senior Certificate examination results, 2010, Pretoria:
Department of Basic Education, 2011.
[44] Mpumalanga Premier promises to stop matric exam leaks, The Teacher,
Feb. 25, 2010.
[45] More arrests likely in Mpumalanga matric results scandal, SABC News,
May 28, 2010.
[46] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Department of Education, Annual
performance plan (Strategic plan) 2008/09 to 2010/11. Mbombela: The
Department, 2008.
[47] G. Rooks & L. Oerlemans, “South Africa: A rising star? Assessing the
X-effectiveness of South Africa’s national system of innovation,”
European Planning Studies, Vol. 13, no. 8, Dec. 2005, pp. 1205-1222.
[48] M.E. Porter & K. Schwab, Eds. The global competitiveness report:
2008-2009, World Economic Forum, 2008.
[49] J. Bijl, From Technikon to University of Technology, Nelspruit Campus,
1992-2009: A historical outline. Mbombela: Tshwane University of
Technology, 2009.
[50] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Mpumalanga economic growth
and development path, Mpumalanga Provincial Government:
Mbombela, 2011.
[51] Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Provincial human resource
development strategy, Volume 1, Mpumalanga Provincial Government:
Mbombela, 2012.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:69565", author = "Maria E. Eggink", title = "Human Capital and the Innovation System – Case Study of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa", abstract = "Innovation plays an important role in economic
growth and development. Evolutionary economics has entrepreneurs
at the centre of the innovation system, but includes all other
participants as contributors to the performance of the innovation
system. Education and training institutions, one of the participants in
the innovation system, contributes in different ways to human capital.
The gap in literature on the competence building as part of human
capital in the analysis of innovation systems is addressed in this
paper. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa is used as a case
study. It was found that the absence of a university, the level of
education, the quality and performance in the education sector and
the condition of the education infrastructure have not been conducive
to learning.
", keywords = "Education institutions, human capital, innovation
systems, Mpumalanga Province.", volume = "8", number = "11", pages = "3695-9", }
