Assessment of Design-driven Innovation within Botswana’s Small Creative Industries

Abstract:

This paper assesses whether design-driven innovation assists Botswana’s creative industries in creating

added value to the products and services they offer. Evidence from the literature shows that the ability

of any creative industry to successfully compete in the global market depends on how it innovates its

products and services. However, this area is under-researched as none of the studies reviewed have

actually attempted to explore the technical landscape of design and innovation in the creative industries

in Botswana, except research in business and management innovation. Botswana is diversifying her

economy from overreliance on minerals to manufacturing and tourism. Since creative industries elsewhere

have proved to be the drivers of the economy, this paper investigates the role played by this sector in

contributing to the diversification of the country’s economy. The results show that there is a weak link

between the creative industries and research and development institutions and this has hindered the

development and promotion of local technological capabilities such as the creation of sustainable high

quality products and efficient services.

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