Science and Technology Parks as Catalysts for Inclusive Innovation and Service Delivery: The Innovation Hub STP, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Science and technology parks (STPs) are regional species, established to play a role in catalysing innovation within the region in which they are located. In developing countries, these high tech hubs are often situated in a context of relatively severe underdevelopment and inequality. As a result, to remain relevant, there is a need to reflect on how STPs in these regions can support more inclusive innovation and development. This includes adopting a broader view of innovation and examining the relationship between STPs and various other regional development stakeholders, particularly within local and provincial government, given their broad social responsibility. This paper examines the role played by The Innovation Hub STP in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, as it implements a portfolio of innovation support programmes, underpinned by a philosophy of inclusiveness and endogenous innovation, with a focus on meeting immanent needs defined by citizens and municipal government. The Innovation Hub STP, hosted by one of three metropolitan municipalities in the province, has had to develop mechanisms to cooperate with the other metropolitan municipalities and smaller municipalities in the province, to ensure that innovation plays a role in service delivery across the region. The implementation of provincial innovation competitions and a regional open innovation platform is linked to incubation programmes run by The Innovation Hub, with a specific focus on growing mobile and green economy innovations. The experiences of The Innovation Hub in running these programmes demonstrates that a successful mix of innovation stimulation and networking initiatives coupled with an intensive enterprise development programme ensures that STPs can enhance the prospects for the emergence of clusters within an STP, and ultimately build a credible pool of solution providers for local government, whilst contributing towards broader participation in the economy of the region and reducing unemployment levels.