The role of business in a developmental state

Abstract

This is an exploratory study with a purpose to gain an understanding of the role of business in a developmental state. The study was conducted in the Gauteng region. The study was done through face to face interviews with people working for the government and senior managers in the private business sector. The study shows that business is willing to play a role in the South African developmental state. The government was found to be a constraint in the process of development of the country because of its lack to communicate the state policies. None of the interviewees understood the concept of a developmental state in the context of South Africa. What was achieved from the attempted study was that South Africa is not ready to be a developmental state because of the incapacity of the government. The private sector was ready to participate in the development programmes but needed to understand what it means to be a developmental state in South Africa. Copyright