Barriers to innovation: evidence from South African manufacturing companies 2010-2012

Innovation is widely viewed as a driver of company competitiveness and, indeed, the economic growth of countries. However, in carrying out their innovation activities, companies often encounter obstacles. In this policy brief, we identify how South African manufacturing companies perceive the relevance of a range of barriers to their innovation activity (whether cost, market, knowledge or other barriers) and assess how these barriers impact companies with different characteristics. Building on this analysis, we consider ways for existing South African innovation support mechanisms to become more responsive to the innovation obstacles companies face.