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Research and innovation in South African universities: from the triple helix’s perspective

Author

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  • Swapan Kumar Patra

    (Tshwane University of Technology)

  • Mammo Muchie

    (Tshwane University of Technology)

Abstract

This study explores the research and innovation in South African universities within the triple-helix framework. Patents and publications data have been used as output indicators to map the R&D activities of South African universities. The study observed that universities are the most prolific publishers and constitute about 91% of total South African publications. However, universities altogether produce only about 14% of total South African patents. Only a few universities are responsible for both patenting and publication portfolio of South Africa. The collaboration patterns from joint patents show that only about 19% patents are collaborative patents. South African public research institutes are more active in joint patents with universities followed by the foreign universities but local firms are less active in collaborative patents. The similar trends are observed in co-authored articles also. The study recommends that collaboration between universities and local firms need to be strengthened to develop technological capabilities in South Africa. South African universities need to collaborate more with the industries, particularly the local industries or institutes to achieve the ‘entrepreneurial university’ in terms of patents and technology transfer.

Suggested Citation

  • Swapan Kumar Patra & Mammo Muchie, 2018. "Research and innovation in South African universities: from the triple helix’s perspective," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 116(1), pages 51-76, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:116:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11192-018-2764-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2764-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Sylvia Novillo-Villegas & Ricardo Ayala-Andrade & Juan Pablo Lopez-Cox & Javier Salazar-Oyaneder & Patricia Acosta-Vargas, 2022. "A Roadmap for Innovation Capacity in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Miguel A. Ortiz Acuña & Adiel T. Almeida Filho & Francisco S. Ramos, 2024. "Modelling the triple helix system innovation of the main economies from Latin America: a coalitional game theory approach," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(6), pages 3245-3270, June.
    3. Arkadiusz Œwiadek & Piotr Dzikowski & Jadwiga Gor¹czkowska & Marek Tomaszewski, 2022. "The National Innovation System in a catching-up country: empirical evidence based on micro data of a triple helix in Poland," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(2), pages 511-540, June.
    4. Elizabeth S. Vieira, 2022. "International research collaboration in Africa: a bibliometric and thematic analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(5), pages 2747-2772, May.
    5. Sylvia Novillo-Villegas & Patricia Acosta-Vargas & Christian Cruz-Boada & Mateo Garzon & Andre Marin-Dett & Wendy Anzules-Falcones, 2022. "Sustaining the Path for Innovation Capability from a Developing Country Perspective: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, October.
    6. Shu-Hao Chang, 2022. "Examining Key Technologies Among Academic Patents Through an Analysis of Standard-Essential Patents," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, July.

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