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Maria Eggink

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Papers by Maria Eggink

Learning History: Boring Fact Memorising or Exciting Fact Generation?

ICERI proceedings, Nov 1, 2018

The Components of an Innovation System: A Conceptual Innovation System Framework

Journal of innovation and business best practices, Sep 12, 2013

Innovation forms the basis of economic growth and development. The "innovation system" concept st... more Innovation forms the basis of economic growth and development. The "innovation system" concept started receiving more attention in literature since the 1980s, but very few studies have attempted to explain the functioning of such a system. Therefore, the need arose to develop a model for an innovation system a gainst which specific innovation systems could be compared and evaluated. Different models for an innovation system, as described in literature, were evaluated against findings of empirical studies in literature. Subsequently, a conceptual, descriptive framework for an innovation system model was developed. The participants that play a role in the innovation system were found to include, primarily, the innovative firms that are at the centre of the innovation system due to their importance in the contribution to innovative activities. Innovative firms were found to be operating in a complex matrix of other participants or actors. It was further indicated that the strength of the linkages amongst participants has a positive effect on the innovative performance of the system and so is important for the transfer of finances, knowledge and technology. The conceptual model serves as a point of departure for the evaluation of innovation systems.

Innovation System Performance: How to Address the Measurement of a System’s Performance

Journal of innovation and business best practices, Nov 30, 2012

There is no generally accepted method of measuring performance of an innovation system. The measu... more There is no generally accepted method of measuring performance of an innovation system. The measurement of the performance of an innovation system influences policy decisions for the improvement of such a system and makes comparisons possible. The question arises how the complexity of an innovation system should be addressed in the measurement of the performance of the system. A descriptive analysis is made of empirical studies that measured innovative performance. The use of composite indicators has become more popular. Unfortunately, many existing indices that intend to measure innovative performance comprise capacity and performance indicators where they should rather focus on performance indicators such as innovation count and innovation surveys. JEL B52, O30

The Evolution of Universities to Address Innovation Systems Performance

Journal of South African business research, Jun 13, 2017

The need for universities to evolve into active participants in innovation systems became eminent... more The need for universities to evolve into active participants in innovation systems became eminent over recent decades. The evolution is evident in changes from development of human capital and knowledge creation to the inclusion of knowledge dissemination and transfer. The changing roles of universities contribute to the impact of innovation systems on economic growth, as emphasized in neo-Schumpeterian economic growth theories. South Africa is a country with high rates of poverty and unemployment. The improved performance of the South African innovation system is essential for the economic development of the country. In this article, the South African universities are evaluated to determine to what extent they have been changing to include the role of knowledge dissemination. The importance of this paper lies in the contribution to evolutionary economics literature on the evolutionary roles of universities in innovation systems. The paper is further intended to raise awareness of the changing roles of universities' contribution to the innovation system of South Africa.

A Review of the Theoretical Context of the Role of Innovation in Economic Development

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Oct 3, 2013

It is the aim of this paper to place the role of innovation in economic development in its theore... more It is the aim of this paper to place the role of innovation in economic development in its theoretical context through a literature review. The review compares classical economic theory and the neoclassical theories of "equilibrium in the markets" and "perfectly competitive markets" with the Schumpeterian theory. It was found that Schumpeter's role in contributing towards economic development theories, and by creating awareness of the role of innovation in these theories is of immeasurable importance. His contribution led to a change in economic thinking, although this was only realized much later than when his theories were first published. The neo-Schumpeterian thinking expanded on the Schumpeterian theory by studying innovation within a system of interaction among different role players. Studies on innovation should be founded in the neo-Schumpeterian school of thought in order to accommodate the complexity of the innovation system concept.

The Change in post 1980 Economic Development and Innovation Studies towards Evolutionary Economics

Journal of economics studies and research, Mar 27, 2013

The role of innovation in economic growth is perceived differently by the different schools of th... more The role of innovation in economic growth is perceived differently by the different schools of thought. The neoclassical theories emphasise equilibrium in the economy and cannot explain the role of innovation, because the effect of innovation is actually a disturbance of equilibrium. Schumpeter (1961) has shown that growth and development can only take place if the economy is constantly disturbed to an out-of-equilibrium phase. In some of the later neoclassical theories, innovation was considered as a factor that causes growth, but was treated as an exogenous factor. The "new growth theories" were developed later, including innovation as an endogenous factor, but these theories were still based on the equilibrium principle. In the Schumpeterian and neo-Schumpeterian theories, innovation is treated as endogenous to the economy. Schumpeter had not been acknowledged as a mainstream economist during the time that he developed and first published his theory. It was not until the 1980s that economists started paying attention to his works and to the importance of innovation in development. The aim of this article is to determine how the studies since 1980 have changed regarding their foundation in the different schools of thought. A methodological and theoretical review is conducted of post 1980 empirical studies that determined the relationship between innovation and economic development. It was found that many empirical studies still make use of neoclassical equilibrium models and that the studies that consider the complexity of the innovation system are not yet sufficiently developed to explain the relationship between innovation and economic development.

The role of innovation in economic development

Determinants of innovation in micro, small, and medium enterprises. Bonn: The Institute for the S... more

Human Capital and the Innovation System – Case Study of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, Mar 2, 2015

Innovation plays an important role in economic growth and development. Evolutionary economics has... more Innovation plays an important role in economic growth and development. Evolutionary economics has entrepreneurs at the centre of the innovation system, but includes all other participants as contributors to the performance of the innovation system. Education and training institutions, one of the participants in the innovation system, contributes in different ways to human capital. The gap in literature on the competence building as part of human capital in the analysis of innovation systems is addressed in this paper. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa is used as a case study. It was found that the absence of a university, the level of education, the quality and performance in the education sector and the condition of the education infrastructure have not been conducive to learning.

The Identification of the Key Sub-Industries Among Coastal Metropolitan Cities of South Africa: An Application of the Location Quotient Technique

International journal of economics and finance studies, 2020

economic development and growth of the metropolitan cities. This paper uses a four-point 2002, 20... more economic development and growth of the metropolitan cities. This paper uses a four-point 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 as the latest employment data available and a five-year interval is used as optimal data in terms of capturing potential structure change in the local economy of the coastal metropolitan cities in South Africa. Findings of this paper show that sub-industries in the manufacturing and service sectors have been the main drivers of the economic development in these metropolitan cities. Despite the creation of new technology, new business and new jobs to spearhead economic development in South Africa, the results obtained from this study indicate that some of these metropolitan cities are actually characterised by economic stagnation in some of their sub-industries that are supposed to be the key role players in economic growth.

Interaction and Main Effects of Finance Support and Other Business Support Services on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Case Study of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Economies

Finance support and other forms of business support have been recognized as key factors in the en... more Finance support and other forms of business support have been recognized as key factors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in theoretical and empirical investigations. There is currently a knowledge gap regarding the combined impact of these two variables on the entrepreneurial ecosystem, even though much research has shown that both variables have a favorable influence on entrepreneurial ecosystems. The primary goal of this study is to determine whether the interactions between the two variables—finance support and other business support services—have an impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa. A second objective is to determine the main effects of these variables on the entrepreneurial ecosystem. A standardized questionnaire was used to conduct a study of 2000 SMEs in the South African province of Mpumalanga. To investigate the effects of business support services and finance on the ecosystem as measured by the test instruments, a two-way between-groups analysis of v...

Impact of Elements of Finance and Business Support on the SME Business Ecosystem in South Africa: An Econometric Analysis

Sustainability

Studies conducted in South Africa have revealed that despite SMEs’ contributions to economic grow... more Studies conducted in South Africa have revealed that despite SMEs’ contributions to economic growth, financing is still a problem, and business supports such as management and business development training and the creation of business plans are additional obstacles to their expansion and survival. This article specifically investigates the combined effects of financing and business support on the business environment of South African SMEs. We calculated a necessary sample size of 1937 using a sample size calculator, a margin of error of 2%, a confidence level of 95%, and a response rate of 20%. As a result, 2200 questionnaires were distributed, the target population was split into 3 strata, and then samples were chosen for the survey from each stratum. The SPSS version 25.0 was employed to analyze the data in three parts, namely, descriptive, correlation, and the outcome of the regression (coefficients/model summary/ANOVA). The level of significance was determined at 5%. The test–re...

The Role of Innovation in Economic Development

Economics and Innovative Technologies

Determinants of innovation in micro, small, and medium enterprises. Bonn: The Institute for the S... more

Human Capital And The Innovation System – Case Study Of The Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Innovation plays an important role in economic<br> growth and development. Evolutionary eco... more Innovation plays an important role in economic<br> growth and development. Evolutionary economics has entrepreneurs<br> at the centre of the innovation system, but includes all other<br> participants as contributors to the performance of the innovation<br> system. Education and training institutions, one of the participants in<br> the innovation system, contributes in different ways to human capital.<br> The gap in literature on the competence building as part of human<br> capital in the analysis of innovation systems is addressed in this<br> paper. The Mpumalanga Province of South Africa is used as a case<br> study. It was found that the absence of a university, the level of<br> education, the quality and performance in the education sector and<br> the condition of the education infrastructure have not been conducive<br> to learning.

A Review Of The Theoretical Context Of The Role Of Innovation In Economic Development

It is the aim of this paper to place the role of innovation in economic development in its theore... more It is the aim of this paper to place the role of innovation in economic development in its theoretical context through a literature review. The review compares classical economic theory and the neoclassical theories of "equilibrium in the markets" and "perfectly competitive markets" with the Schumpeterian theory. It was found that Schumpeter's role in contributing towards economic development theories, and by creating awareness of the role of innovation in these theories is of immeasurable importance. His contribution led to a change in economic thinking, although this was only realized much later than when his theories were first published. The neo-Schumpeterian thinking expanded on the Schumpeterian theory by studying innovation within a system of interaction among different role players. Studies on innovation should be founded in the neo-Schumpeterian school of thought in order to accommodate the complexity of the innovation system concept.

Learning History: Boring Fact Memorising or Exciting Fact Generation?

ICERI2018 Proceedings, 2018

The Identification of the Key Sub-Industries Among Coastal Metropolitan Cities of South Africa: An Application of the Location Quotient Technique

International Journal of Economics and Finance Studies, 2020

economic development and growth of the metropolitan cities. This paper uses a four-point 2002, 20... more economic development and growth of the metropolitan cities. This paper uses a four-point 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 as the latest employment data available and a five-year interval is used as optimal data in terms of capturing potential structure change in the local economy of the coastal metropolitan cities in South Africa. Findings of this paper show that sub-industries in the manufacturing and service sectors have been the main drivers of the economic development in these metropolitan cities. Despite the creation of new technology, new business and new jobs to spearhead economic development in South Africa, the results obtained from this study indicate that some of these metropolitan cities are actually characterised by economic stagnation in some of their sub-industries that are supposed to be the key role players in economic growth.

The Evolution of Universities to Address Innovation Systems Performance

Journal of South African Business Research, 2017

The need for universities to evolve into active participants in innovation systems became eminent... more The need for universities to evolve into active participants in innovation systems became eminent over recent decades. The evolution is evident in changes from development of human capital and knowledge creation to the inclusion of knowledge dissemination and transfer. The changing roles of universities contribute to the impact of innovation systems on economic growth, as emphasized in neo-Schumpeterian economic growth theories. South Africa is a country with high rates of poverty and unemployment. The improved performance of the South African innovation system is essential for the economic development of the country. In this article, the South African universities are evaluated to determine to what extent they have been changing to include the role of knowledge dissemination. The importance of this paper lies in the contribution to evolutionary economics literature on the evolutionary roles of universities in innovation systems. The paper is further intended to raise awareness of the changing roles of universities' contribution to the innovation system of South Africa.

Innovation System Performance: How to Address the Measurement of a System’s Performance

Journal of Innovation & Business Best Practices, 2012

There is no generally accepted method of measuring performance of an innovation system. The measu... more There is no generally accepted method of measuring performance of an innovation system. The measurement of the performance of an innovation system influences policy decisions for the improvement of such a system and makes comparisons possible. The question arises how the complexity of an innovation system should be addressed in the measurement of the performance of the system. A descriptive analysis is made of empirical studies that measured innovative performance. The use of composite indicators has become more popular. Unfortunately, many existing indices that intend to measure innovative performance comprise capacity and performance indicators where they should rather focus on performance indicators such as innovation count and innovation surveys. JEL B52, O30

The Change in post 1980 Economic Development and Innovation Studies towards Evolutionary Economics

Journal of Economics Studies and Research, 2013

The role of innovation in economic growth is perceived differently by the different schools of th... more The role of innovation in economic growth is perceived differently by the different schools of thought. The neoclassical theories emphasise equilibrium in the economy and cannot explain the role of innovation, because the effect of innovation is actually a disturbance of equilibrium. Schumpeter (1961) has shown that growth and development can only take place if the economy is constantly disturbed to an out-of-equilibrium phase. In some of the later neoclassical theories, innovation was considered as a factor that causes growth, but was treated as an exogenous factor. The "new growth theories" were developed later, including innovation as an endogenous factor, but these theories were still based on the equilibrium principle. In the Schumpeterian and neo-Schumpeterian theories, innovation is treated as endogenous to the economy. Schumpeter had not been acknowledged as a mainstream economist during the time that he developed and first published his theory. It was not until the 1980s that economists started paying attention to his works and to the importance of innovation in development. The aim of this article is to determine how the studies since 1980 have changed regarding their foundation in the different schools of thought. A methodological and theoretical review is conducted of post 1980 empirical studies that determined the relationship between innovation and economic development. It was found that many empirical studies still make use of neoclassical equilibrium models and that the studies that consider the complexity of the innovation system are not yet sufficiently developed to explain the relationship between innovation and economic development.

The Components of an Innovation System: A Conceptual Innovation System Framework

Journal of Innovation and Business Best Practices, 2013

Innovation forms the basis of economic growth and development. The "innovation system" concept st... more Innovation forms the basis of economic growth and development. The "innovation system" concept started receiving more attention in literature since the 1980s, but very few studies have attempted to explain the functioning of such a system. Therefore, the need arose to develop a model for an innovation system a gainst which specific innovation systems could be compared and evaluated. Different models for an innovation system, as described in literature, were evaluated against findings of empirical studies in literature. Subsequently, a conceptual, descriptive framework for an innovation system model was developed. The participants that play a role in the innovation system were found to include, primarily, the innovative firms that are at the centre of the innovation system due to their importance in the contribution to innovative activities. Innovative firms were found to be operating in a complex matrix of other participants or actors. It was further indicated that the strength of the linkages amongst participants has a positive effect on the innovative performance of the system and so is important for the transfer of finances, knowledge and technology. The conceptual model serves as a point of departure for the evaluation of innovation systems.