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Descriptive analysis of selected innovation attributes (characteristics, novelty level, learning modes)
Our findings suggest that the informal construction sector in Sweetwaters is innovative with three most innovation activities. Firstly, businesses in the informal construction sector innovate because of customer demand (66.2%) (Figure 5). Our qualitative data shows that secondly, these
businesses innovate by bringing in tools, machinery and equipment (57%) (Figure 5). Our qualitative data shows an example of an informal business owner who invested in a new welding machine that enabled them to work faster and reduce electricity costs. Thirdly, these businesses innovate by finding new suppliers of raw materials and tools (51.4%).
Figure 5: Innovation activities in the informal construction sector, Sweetwaters, KZN Data source: CeSTII 2017-18 IIS Survey (CeSTII 2021)
These innovation activities are not entirely new, but are adaptations tailored to the local context (Figure 6). A small percentage (1%) introduced truly groundbreaking innovations.
Figure 6: Novelty of product innovation in the informal construction sector in Sweetwaters Data source: CeSTII 2017-18 IIS Survey (CeSTII 2021)
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