The Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) does policy research in the political economy of knowledge to promote sustainable economic growth, social development and political democracy. IERI is based in the Faculty of Economics and Finance of the Tshwane University of Technology.
The DST-NRF CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy resides in the Institute for Economic Research in Innovation at Tshwane University of Technology
The Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) was established as a public-good research organisation with a core competence in the analysis of systems of innovation. Its core mandate is to provide research, capacity building and community engagement in this field of study. Specifically, IERI engages in the following broad tasks:
- Conducts research on the political economy and policy dimensions of Innovation and Development
- Contributes thought-leadership on the relationship between Knowledge and Development across Economic, Social and Political domains
- Builds capabilities and competences in the understanding of the political economy and policy dimensions of Innovation and Development
- Focuses across Local, Provincial, National, Regional & International geographies
The Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) was originally established in 2002 in the Faculty of Economic and Management Studies at the former Technikon North West. IERI was established to provide in-depth analysis of systems of innovation, science and technology policy and local economic development. It was designed to focus on local, provincial and national levels within South Africa, at the regional and continental level across Africa, and on the global level. Given the relevance of this line of research for the development planning process in South Africa, IERI was proposed as one of the support platforms for the furtherance of the African Renaissance project that was spearheaded by the former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.