Roles of Practitioners in Industry-Government Research Collaborations of South African Clothing, Textiles, Leather, and Footwear Industry: Implications for SDGs and Agenda 2063

Abstract

This study explores the roles of industry and government in research collaborations from the context of the clothing, textiles, leather, and footwear (CTLF) industry of South Africa. This study further seeks to highlight the implications of the roles of industry and government in SDGs and the African Union Commission Agenda 2063 (hereafter Agenda 2063). Through mixed methods, this study conducted 12 interviews with participants from universities, industry, and government, as well as 22 correctly filled-in questionnaires to address the research questions of this study. The findings highlight that government performs its roles more than the industry when engaging in research collaborations in the South African CTLF industry. The implications of the roles of industry and government to the achievement of SDGs and Agenda 2063 show that the South African CTLF industry contributes to SDGs and Agenda 2063. However, the CTLF industry can contribute even more to SDGs and Agenda 2063 if they take advantage of opportunities presented by research collaborations. This study highlights science, technology and innovation policy gaps that undermine development in the CTLF industry of South Africa and negatively affect the attainment of SDGs and Agenda 2063. This study contributes new knowledge by providing empirical findings on the role of industry and government in research collaborations in the context of the CTLF industry of South Africa.

Received: 11 February 2022 / Accepted: 25 April 2022 / Published: 5 July 2022