Work

Universities and innovation in informal settings: evidence from case studies in South Africa

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Technological and economic development benefits a minority of the global population, challenging universities to consider how a transformative framework of innovation for inclusive development can inform an expanded understanding of their 'third mission'. However, there is little conceptually and empirically informed research available, a gap that stimulated exploratory qualitative research to open up the field, through four case studies of emergent practices in South Africa. This paper aims to identify conditions that facilitate and constrain interaction and knowledge flows between universities and marginalised communities around livelihoods in informal settings. Analysis highlights how actors are driven to interact with one another, to learn and develop new competences. Conditions in the national and local policy environment intersect with organisational conditions within universities and communities, and within the interaction itself, to shape outcomes that impact on livelihoods and development. Finally, we reflect how working concepts may be refined to inform further research.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/32384721

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Innovation and Socioeconomic Development

Subfield: Business and International Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Quality education, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Partnerships for the goals, No poverty

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7162191685

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