THRIP, a Mechanism Driving Creativity and Innovation in South Africa

Triple Helix is one model that is internationally used to stimulate innovation. The model represents interaction between university, industry and government, working together towards research focused on immediate implementation in industry. In South Africa Triple Helix is driven under the name THRIP: The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) aims to boost South African Industry by supporting research and technology development, its success visible for the past 13 years – where industry is represented by various private companies and the government by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Various universities take part in this project.The paper consists of a theoretical study describing the THRIP process and the roles of the different role players. This is followed by an empirical study where 107 respondents from the population of everybody that have been involved in THRIP since its inception gave their ranking of the biggest beneficiaries from THRIP projects on a questionnaire. The responses were statistically analysed. Validity was improved by interviewing stakeholders from all three spheres.It was found that universities and industry benefit most. Recommendations include that THRIP be expanded and that certain procedural system issues be addressed.