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imperative (see Sengupta (2016) and Schillo and Robinson (2017)). In a Kenyan study on mobile phone technology deployment for lower-income groups, Foster and Heeks (2013) suggest modifiying the conceptual lens of systems of innovation for inclusive innovation. The modifications include types of innnovation, innovation actors, their interactions and the nature of learning among them, and the institutional environment. The modifications are an essential prerequisite as systems of innovation were not developed for inclusive innovation outcomes (Bryden et al. 2017; Foster and Heeks 2015).
Inherent power structures must be removed to enable inclusive innovation outcomes. Moleka (2024) argues that polycentric governance is insufficient in this regard. Part of the systems of innovation for inclusive innovation is ensuring that it is agent-based and follows a bottom-up approach (Morales et al. 2023). According to Morales et al. (2023), an inclusive system of innovation must integrate traditional knowledge with scientific and technology knowledge, including new agents who bring new capabilities and ensure directionalities towards inclusion. Bryden et al. (2017) emphasise the critical role of institutions at the sectoral level and bioeconomy in their study. Innovation platforms are an institutional approach to driving inclusive innovation (Swaans et al. 2014). Swaans et al. (2014) studied livestock value chains in India and Mozambique to explore innovation platforms as an approach. Insitutional arrangements and governance must continously be aligned to inclusive innovation models. Heeks et al. (2014) reported innovation platforms, cluster innovation, user-producer interaction, grassroots innovation, and frugal innovation as the emerging models/ clusters for inclusive innovation.
Government policies are key to resolving system barriers and measuring progress towards inclusive innovation (Foster and Heeks 2015). While resolving system barriers and measuring progress is important, the ultimate for government policies is stimulating inclusive innovation, starting at grassroots level (Patnaik and Bhowmick 2020). Using a region in South Africa as a case study, Van der Merwe and Grobbelaar (2016) show that inclusive systems of innovation are still in their infancy and suggested technological systems of innovation is a good starting point. The study used an e-health system as a basis to evaluate system of innovation peformance. According to Phiri et al. (2016) transformative social policy in South Africa could be used to drive inclusive innovation.
Transformative social policy in South Africa focuses on human capital, skill formation and risk alleviation. Governance ensures participation and collective decision- making in both social and inclusive innovation (Galego et al. 2022). Governing emerging technologies to achieve
inclusive outcomes is a challenge (Stilgoe et al. 2020). Stilgoe et al. (2020) developed a responsible innovation framework which includes anticipation, reflexibility, inclusion and responsiveness. Governance must be tailored to target inclusive innovation; Wang et al. (2023), for instance, show social governance for services related to the elderly.
Because participation is imperative for inclusive innovation and innovation for inclusive development, open government is seen as a governance approach to raise citizen participation (Plantinga and Adams 2021). Further, Plantinga and Adams (2021) suggest tapping into the emerging grassroots and hybrid civic innovation networks at the periphery of formal open government programmes to drive further citizen participation. The quest for inclusive innovation and innovation for inclusive development is for a sustainable development.
Considering the central role of technological innovation in development, shaping the systems of innovation to direct technological innovation for sustainable development is imperative (Anadon et al., 2016). As shown by Gupta and Vegelin (2016), there is some misalignment between inclusive development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
discussion of research findings
The main driver for inclusive innovation and innovation for inclusive development is achieving an inclusive society, where each individual participates in the innovation and development process. Innovation has been central to development, albeit with economic outcomes while neglecting social and environment outcomes.
The inclusive innovation and innovation for inclusive development body of knowledge is an emerging field. Several studies have taken different approaches to define the concepts, develop frameworks to measure the intended outcomes, and track success towards outcomes. Although unclear on the determinants, South African studies seem to have focused on innovation for inclusive development rather than inclusive innovation. Exclusionary development emerges differently in parts of society, as such no single project will cater for all exlcuded groups. It is therefore necessary to outline inclusive outcomes.
Either inclusive innovation or innovation for inclusive development will happen by themselves. This is explained by the strong emergence of governance in this body of knowledge. Innovation as a body of knowledge has predominantly focused on delivering economic outcomes, which has entreched power dynamics at the global level. The role of existing and new institutions to achieve
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