Article: Can open government support innovation for inclusive development? A South African case study Journal: International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development (IJTLID) 2021 Vol.13 No.2 pp.142 - 167 Abstract: The opening of government in a number of countries has implications for innovation processes and the potential for inclusive development outcomes. After unpacking key thinking around openness and its attendant values, we explore the adoption of open government practices in innovation by considering four instruments: the opening of innovation and technology policy processes, co-creation and collaborative solution development by civil servants, government entities acting as innovation brokers, and public sector procurement of innovation. Through a case study of South Africa, we highlight how innovation actors prioritise particular values of openness over others, oftentimes at the expense of legality and impartiality. This oversight leads to project failures, legitimacy crises and exploitation of openness by more powerful entities. In response, we suggest that public sector innovation programs and platforms can more explicitly recognise and balance different values through appropriate institutional forms and legislation, and thereby enable sustainable application of open government practices. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Can open government support innovation for inclusive development? A South African case study

Authors: Paul Plantinga; Rachel Adams

Addresses: Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), HSRC Building, 134 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0083, South Africa ' Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), HSRC, 118 Buitengracht St, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

Abstract: The opening of government in a number of countries has implications for innovation processes and the potential for inclusive development outcomes. After unpacking key thinking around openness and its attendant values, we explore the adoption of open government practices in innovation by considering four instruments: the opening of innovation and technology policy processes, co-creation and collaborative solution development by civil servants, government entities acting as innovation brokers, and public sector procurement of innovation. Through a case study of South Africa, we highlight how innovation actors prioritise particular values of openness over others, oftentimes at the expense of legality and impartiality. This oversight leads to project failures, legitimacy crises and exploitation of openness by more powerful entities. In response, we suggest that public sector innovation programs and platforms can more explicitly recognise and balance different values through appropriate institutional forms and legislation, and thereby enable sustainable application of open government practices.

Keywords: innovation; open government; Popper; inclusive development; procurement; co-creation; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2021.116339

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2021 Vol.13 No.2, pp.142 - 167

Received: 21 Oct 2020
Accepted: 13 Feb 2021
Published online: 20 Jul 2021 *

Title: Can open government support innovation for inclusive development? A South African case study

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