Title: SMME competitiveness through technology diffusion from higher educational institutions: a South African perspective

Authors: David Phaho

Addresses: Tshumisano Trust, Department of Science and Technology, Enterprise Centre, The Innovation Hub, Pretoria 0028, South Africa

Abstract: As South Africa re-entered the global economy after years of political isolation, there was a drive to enhance the competitiveness of its key industries and enterprises. Central to industrial competitiveness, economic growth and employment creation is the growth of Small-, Micro- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs). In 1999 the South African government launched the Technology Station Programme (TSP) with the sole mandate of improving the competitiveness of existing SMMEs through Technology Diffusion and Intelligence from Universities of Technology. This paper focuses on the activities of the TSP and its impact on SMME growth in areas of national priority.

Keywords: technology diffusion; SMMEs; competitiveness; absorptive capacity; technology intelligence; innovation; South Africa; higher education; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2008.017402

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2008 Vol.4 No.1, pp.55 - 67

Published online: 04 Mar 2008 *

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