Exploring the dynamics of innovation in subnational regions: a conceptual paper

South Africa and countries at similar stages of their economic evolution prioritise science, technology and innovation (STI) in their policies and strategies to overcome poverty, unemployment, and inequality (DSI, 2019). Invariably, this appreciation of the transformative potential of innovation begins with what innovation means and identifying the attributes and mechanics of innovation processes. Innovation has been defined in various, and sometimes divergent, ways in different contexts (see Hart et al., 2012 for an overview of the definitions). The Oslo Manuals provide some of the widely used definitions. The fourth edition of the Oslo Manual defined innovation as a new or improved product or process (or combination thereof) that differs significantly from the unit's previous products or processes and that has been made available to potential users (product) or brought into use by the unit (process) (OECD/Eurostat, 2018, p. 20). Since the 2005 edition, the Oslo manuals have expanded the meaning of innovation beyond the technological innovation focus (manufacturing product and process innovations), which had been the case prior to including non-technological aspects (marketing and organisation innovations) which are important to developing countries (Egbetokun et al., 2017).