TRCFS Lecture on Exploring Frugality and Direction of Innovation in The Medical Device Sector in South Africa through a Development Lens by Sanghamitra Chakravarty | at CSLG, 23rd January, 3pm

Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Frugality Studies (TRCFS) & 

Centre for the Study of Law and Governance (CSLG)

Jawaharlal Nehru Universityc

Invite you to a Public Lecture on

 "Exploring Frugality and Direction of Innovation in the Medical Device Sector 

in South Africa through a Development Lens"

by

Dr. Sanghamitra Chakravarty

(Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Technical University Delft)

Venue: Conference Room, CSLG, JNU.

Date: Tuesday, 23^rd January 2024 | Time: 3:00pm

Abstract: The direction of innovation has several developmental implications but is relatively much less studied as compared to its rate. This is even more so with respect to developing countries. With the accumulation of technological capabilities in the Global South, low-middle-income countries are seeking to build strong sectoral innovation systems not only in informal and low technology areas, but also technology intensive sectors. However, the current global innovation dynamics suggest that the path towards developing such capabilities and truly benefitting from their accumulation is riddled with many challenges. Using an exploratory case study analysis of the emerging medical device sector in South Africa and combining a capabilities approach to inclusion with fresh empirical evidence, this research studies how innovations from low-middle-income countries can influence the direction of innovation. Theoretical foundations for this analysis are drawn from innovation studies, frugal innovation, and development scholarships. Grounded in these literatures, the direction of innovation is conceptualised to be inclusive when it leads to accumulation of capabilities both at individual and firm level. The study discusses the key innovation actors and linkages between them, and the nature and processes of innovation generation, production and diffusion. Further it explores the challenges of the South African medical device sector and its relationship with the broader national innovation system. The study illustrates how despite South Africa's high biomedical research capacity, pockets of innovation excellence and sophisticated manufacturing base, there are many challenges which make the direction of innovation towards inclusion fragile and difficult to achieve. It shows the important role of the state and multilateral organisations in enabling a more inclusive technological change.

All are welcome to attend the Lecture.