University-supported inclusive innovation platform: the case of University of Fort Hare

ABSTRACT

A common question that prompts universities to reconsider their relationships and role in sustainable development in their immediate context is: How has the university over the years contributed to inclusive development of surrounding communities? Grounded in the innovation systems framework, the literature of engaged scholarship, innovation for inclusive development, and innovation platforms, the authors propose a framework for the development of a University-coordinated Inclusive Innovation Platform. The University of Fort Hare was used as a case study to reflect on what has been done and the processes and principles that have been followed during the coordination of the formation and functioning of such a platform. This paper is of interest to a wide audience as it may assist in supporting more proof-of-concept inclusive innovation projects and programmes to stimulate and support inclusive development in communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Innovation for inclusive development
• inclusive innovation
• intermediary
• innovation platform
• innovation system
• sustainable development
• community development

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the participation of local communities and chiefs in the process of setting up an IIP in the Alice environment. This was paper was presented in R&D Management Conference, Cambridge, United Kingdom, in 2016. We acknowledge the feedback received from the participants. We are also thankful to the reviewers of this journal for their helpful comments and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, South Africa.