Project time line: 2017

The contemporary framing of the National Systems of Innovation (NSI) discourse pivots on the nexus of an indicator entitled ‘Gross Expenditures on Research and Development’ (GERD)1. This framing has resulted in the utilisation of a target for the NSI of GERD measured at 1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being spent on science and technology on an annual basis by the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology in 2005. However, no empirical nor theoretical basis exists for the assumption that a 1% GERD will result in better outcomes from science, technology and innovation performance.

This multi-year project is linked to work amongst Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRICS) which seeks to test alternative National System of Innovation (NSI) models which are not only steered towards economistic objectives. Rather, the emphasis in this project will be to conceptualise and test a revised orientation of the NSI to indices of wellness and well-being.

Key outputs to date

  • Kraemer-Mbula, E., Ndabeni,L and Maharajh, R. 2016. Rural Health Systems in South Africa. In Jose Eduardo Cassiolato and Maria Clara C. Soares [eds.], Health Innovation Systems, Equity and Development, E-Papers, Rio de Janeiro; pp. 211 – 236, ISBN: 978-85-7650-468-9.
  • Maharajh, R. 2015. Being Well in the Early 21st Century: Contemporary Dynamics in the Political Economy of Health. In Jose Eduardo Cassiolato and Maria Clara C. Soares [eds.], Health Innovation Systems, Equity and Development, E-Papers, Rio de Janeiro; pp. 59 – 86, ISBN: 978-85-7650-468-9.
  • Maharajh, R., Govender, R, Thulare A and Veriava, Y. 2016. Wellness and Well-being Research in South Africa. In RIS [ed.], Health, Nature and Quality of Life: Towards BRICS Wellness Index, Bengaluru; with, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, New Delhi, pp. 27-40; ISBN: 81-7122-120-3.

Project team

1 Gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) is defined as the total intramural expenditure on research and development performed on the national territory during a given period (OECD, 2013)

Science and technology and innovation studies

Research area