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Erika Kraemer-Mbula
Research Fellow
Institute for Economic Research on Innovation, South Africa
Informal manufacturing of personal and home care products in South
Africa
Objectives of the study
1. Map the key actors in the innovation system surrounding informal manufacturing
2. Develop an understanding of the obstacles that hinder the performance of micro-enterprises situated in the informal economy.
3. Identification of innovation activities – learning, knowledge flows, technology transfer
4. Understand mechanisms of knowledge appropriation, role of IP and policy implications
Informal manufacturing of personal and home care products in SA
Personal care products: cosmetics, toiletries, perfumes, oral care, foam bath, etcHome care products: dishwasher, bleach, air fresheners, floor polish, etc.
Innovations
Incremental, new to the firm but not new to the worldReactive ( to customers and to suppliers), Proactive Collaborative
Knowledge appropriation Formal mechanisms of knowledge appropriation are not
commonly used – informal mechanisms (e.g. secrecy) are more common.
Lack of knowledge and know-how are key obstacles to innovation & lack of technology – exchange of ideas & tech with other producers, suppliers and formal technology transfer organisations seen as a key for business survival (who owns the ideas?)
Interest in knowledge appropriation emerges as informal manufacturers reach a critical business/market size or when products is highly differentiated - Lack of familiarity with IP regulatory framework
Need to bring IP framework closer to the reality and constraints of micro manufacturers – consultative process.
Thank you
Obrigado/ Спасибо/ शु�क्रि�या�/ 谢谢 / ngiyabonga
[email protected] www.ieri.org.za Faculty of Economics & Finance,
Tshwane University of Technology,
159 Nana Sita Street,Pretoria CBD, 0002,Gauteng Province,Republic of South Africa.