Investigating outputs from university-industry-government collaborations in the Technology Station Clothing and Textiles of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

University-industry-government (UIG) collaborations are vital because they provide solutions to structural problems arising from challenges in higher education, research and development (R&D), and competitiveness. However, the literature on UIG collaboration outputs, specifically in the clothing, textiles, leather, and footwear (CTLF) industry, is limited in the Global South context. UIG collaborations are vital to the clothing and textiles industry because the value chain's success links are market access advantages, the value chain capabilities, and the success of government CTLF industry policies and incentives.

The research institution, Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles (TSCT) in Western Cape, South Africa, was purposively sampled out of 18 South African technology stations to gather data regarding the UIG collaboration outputs. A case study research design was used because there is limited research on UIG collaboration outputs in the CTLF industry in the Western Cape, South Africa, Africa, and the world. The case study allowed for vast application and exploration to investigate a social phenomenon such as the TSCT by combining multiple forms of data using the qualitative methodology.

The qualitative methodology was used because it allowed the research problem to be studied to understand a new phenomenon and analyse themes and conduct an inquiry reflexively. Data collection was conducted through document analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The document analysis collection was in documents, infographics, photographs, and media articles from the websites with TSCT and TIA content. Interviews were conducted with the head of the Technology Stations Programme, who deals with all 18 Technology Stations, and one Technology Stations Programme (TSP) manager, who deals with a third (six) of the Technology Stations, with one being the TSCT. Then an interview was conducted with the Manager of TSCT who deals with the TIA, CPUT, and other various industry and government institutions. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse themes within the data using ATLAS.ti computer software. The researcher sought whether academic and socio-economic outputs led to tangible outcomes that solved structural problems.

This study used Kruss and Visser's (2017) traditional academic and socio-economic outputs. This study found that most academic outputs are moderate in quality at the TSCT. Scientific discoveries and graduates with relevant skills had good quality. However, there were no senior postgraduate degrees available. For the socio-economic outputs, new and improved products and processes had good quality, while community infrastructure and facilities had moderate quality. However, no account of spin-off companies or cultural artefacts contributed to socio-economic benefit. The TSCT has seen success in the past, however, in a post-pandemic world, their current approach could possibly not survive if they do not consider restructuring.

The TSCT Western Cape must figure out how to use outputs as a means for the Western Cape to be sought for to specific designs of speciality and create new international markets for uniqueness. In essence, the TSCT will benefit academically and socio-economically if the collaboration of the UIG outputs improves. It depends on the TIA's commitment to other government departments, organisations, and companies to invest in the TSCT.