Curriculum Vitae: Sara Grobbelaar
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47 Fynbos Street
Welgevonden Estate
Stellenbosch
(+27) 82 576 8123
[email protected] and [email protected]
1978-02-22
Married
Female
English (Fluent)
Afrikaans (Fluent)
Biography and summary of relevant skills and qualifications
Sara Grobbelaar is employed as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Engineering at
Stellenbosch University. She also has part-time appointments at the Department of Engineering and
Technology Management at the University of Pretoria and the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science
and Technology (CREST), Stellenbosch University.
Sara is a seasoned consultant and through experience gained at Monitor Group, Frost & Sullivan and
independently, Sara has successfully completed in excess of 35 consulting engagements in the
government, higher education, not-for-profit and private sectors (ICT, Energy and Power supply,
Chemicals, Materials and Food, Pharmaceutical, Industrial, Mining, Tourism, Private Equity, Aviation and
Automotive).
In July 2011, Sara completed an MPhil in Technology Policy (with distinction) at the University of
Cambridge. During her time in the UK, she was supported by the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and the
Cambridge Trusts. Sara furthermore holds a B.Eng (electronic) (with distinction) (UP), M.Eng
(computer)(with distinction) (UP), PhD in (Engineering) (UP) and a Post Graduate Diploma in M&E
methods (with distinction) (SU).
Sara’s research interests and passions are to think about, research and develop plans for developing
technology-based industries for the African continent. Sara has a keen interest in research uptake and
impact assessment, systems analysis, systems thinking, strategy, technology management and innovation
and, along with her strategy development and analytic skills, these make her a valuable member of any
team.
Experience
Stellenbosch University – Senior Lecturer (Engineering Management, Department of
Industrial Engineering)
(As from 1 May 2015 to --)
Permanent, full-time appointment as Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management in the Department of
Industrial Engineering. Research focus areas:
• Systems of innovation, STI policy;
• The development of pro-poor value chains
• The evaluation and impact assessment of innovation and research;
• Inclusive innovation and ICTs for development;
University of Pretoria – Senior Lecturer
(January 2013 to present)
Part-time Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria in the Graduate School of Engineering and
Technology Management, Faculty of Engineering. Sara’s research and areas of supervision of Masters
students here include:
• Systems of innovation, STI policy;
• Technology management;
• Human Resources for Science, Engineering and Technology
• ICTs for development;
Stellenbosch University in CREST - Senior Researcher
(January 2012 to present – Full-time)(As from 1 May 2015 – Part-time appointment)
The DRUSSA programme is a 5-year DFID (UK’s Department for International Development) funded
programme. It addresses the established demand for stronger Sub-Saharan African (SSA) participation in
the pro-poor development research programmes that provide local solutions to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG). The programme focuses specifically on directly strengthening Research
Uptake Management capacity in 24 Sub-Saharan African universities.
Responsibilities on the programme include:
 Project management responsibility for 2 of 5 Work Programmes;
 Research:
o A review of the literature on knowledge utilisation; The development of frameworks for
the implementation and improvement of knowledge utilisation management on
individual, institutional and systemic levels;
o Coordination of the development of 10 case studies by research teams across Africa on
the evaluation of research utilization and impact;
 Monitoring and evaluation of DRISSA’s programme progress and outputs;
 Lecturing on postgraduate short courses and M.Phil course - specifically on knowledge to policy,
the institutionalisation of RUM.
Independent projects
(January 2010 to present)
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Evaluation of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Coordinated Research Activities (Vienna,
Austria)(2015)
Appointed as expert on innovation for the development of a discussion document for a
Roundtable on Innovation at STIAS in 2016 (2015).
Appointed as expert team member of National Advisory Council on Innovation’s (NACI) working
group on the South African Bio-economy strategy to advise the Minister of Science and
Technology of South Africa (2015).
Developing evaluation frameworks and support mechanisms for the Community Interaction
office at Stellenbosch University (2015).
Developed an Innovation and Research Uptake Policy for a leading university in South Africa
(2014).
Trade and transport facilitation assessment focusing on strengthening the automotive value
chain in SACU countries (Funded by World Bank) (2014).
Project manager on project with Frost & Sullivan for development of an economic development
roadmap for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) in South Africa (2013).
Developed a quick guide to practical advice for local and regional economic planners
internationally to implement spatial planning strategies for green economic development in
cities and city regions (Funded by UN-Habitat – launched at Rio conference) (2012).
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Developed an innovation strategy framework for the University of Cape Town (2012).
Developed and revamped the Department of Economic Development & Tourism of the Western
Cape’s communication materials and frameworks for cluster initiatives (2012).
Analysed entrepreneurial activities at Tygerberg Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of
Stellenbosch in order to design a special purpose vehicle for such activities (2012).
Project manager on strategy project with Frost & Sullivan to develop strategic recommendations
to a large beverages company on how they should address the consolidation of their market
(2011).
Market research and analysis of the aviation industry and how major trends and changes in
politics, technology, society may impact on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
(Cologne, Germany, June 2011).
Protection and appropriation options for the birth defects toolkit for not-for-profit PHG
foundation considering IP protection options and the business case for IP protection (Cambridge,
UK, March 2011).
Developed a literature review and practical advice on methods for setting targets for the
National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) (2009).
Contract research: Centre of Business Research at the University of Cambridge
(June 2011 to July 2011)
Developed comparative analysis and literature review to characterise and compare R&D expenditure in
the UK with OECD economies. Analysis formed part of one-year project for Centre of Industry and Higher
Education in the UK to conduct a study on the efficiency and effectiveness of science policy instruments.
Management consulting: Frost & Sullivan - Project Manager (Cape Town)
(November 2008 to September 2010)
Project manager on consulting projects in a wide range of industries (ICT, Energy and Power supply,
Chemicals, Materials and Food, Pharmaceutical, Industrial).
Summary of key engagements, managing and leading teams of analysts a follows:
Sector: Regional government
Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Provincial Government (GDED)
Project: Gauteng Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Marketing Strategy (September 2009)
 Project description: Project involved the development of a sector development strategy to
position the Gauteng province in South Africa as a BPO hub (GDED).
 Achievements: The outcome of this project was the development of strategic recommendations
on the most attractive customer segments to be targeted in three international markets (UK, USA
and the Netherlands), marketing strategy and strategic initiatives to strengthen Gauteng’s BPO
offering.
Project: Implementation plan development for BPO industry marketing an industry development strategy
(April 2010) (GDED).
 Project description: Frost & Sullivan was awarded a follow-on contract for the implementation
plan development phase (for above-mentioned project) to develop a practical approach towards
implementing the sector development and marketing strategy.
Sector: Industrial sector
Project: Strategic analysis of the South African welding solutions market for a large gas company (May
2010)
 Project description: A concise study that provided the client with detailed market information
relating to the direction of the welding market in South Africa, particularly the welding
consumables market.
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Achievements: Evaluated and analysed welding solutions market size, competitive structure,
distribution networks and end-user preferences; collection of purchasing trend information from
distributors and agents, fabricators, system integrators and other top-, middle– and bottom-end
consumers to cross-reference the information obtained from welding solution suppliers; analysis
of data; report writing and presentation of interim and final findings to the client.
Project: Electricity pricing forecast and analysis for global mining company (November 2009);
 Project description: The client was considering alternative locations for expansion of their ferroalloy business based on the electricity pricing increases expected in South Africa. The project
involved the analysis of electricity supply and forecasted pricing in 8 international markets (South
Africa, India, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, UAE, Canada and Saudi Arabia).
 Achievements: Managed and led a team of 10 consultants (teams were located in South Africa,
India, the UK and China). This project included the development of a highly complex and detailed
excel model with the purpose of forecasting electricity pricing and security of supply in the 8
international markets analysed.
Project: Sub-Saharan African markets analysis: A strategic market analysis and opportunity assessment for
product portfolios (global chemicals manufacturer)(September 2009).
 Project description: Identifying the market size, growth and potential opportunities for a global
chemicals manufacturer’s products within Sub-Saharan Africa. Five countries in East and West
Africa were selected for analysis, based on the industry attractiveness and sovereign risk in each
country.
 Achievements: The outcome of the project was a set of detailed recommendations on market
penetration options for each of the markets and product categories selected.
Sector: ICT sector
Project: Influencer and stakeholder identification study - A framework of the key influencers within Angola,
Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa (Global IT company) (2010)
 Project description: Developing an influencer mapping tool tailored to the company and its
operating environment in Africa, followed by identifying strategic influencers, including
influencers, buyers and users.
 Achievements: A framework was developed against which influencer attributes were analysed
and recommendations made on key influencers within Banking & Insurance,
Telecommunications, Public Sector and Oil/Gas (Angola & Nigeria) for the country markets
Angola, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Project: Pricing model for mobile authentication products of a dynamic Stellenbosch start-up
 Project description: Developing an approach for a pricing model for selected international
markets. Analysed and benchmarked functional components of the product, customer trends,
technology lifecycle – respective value offering to the client.
 Achievements: Developed a pricing modelling tool to determine the appropriate pricing
approaches and a flexible pricing model that can be adapted to unique market conditions.
University of Pretoria – One-year assignment
(January 2008 to November 2008)
Appointed in the Rectorate as Research Consultant to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University
of Pretoria. Completed a research project on the assessment of South Africa’s government scientific
advisory structures. Outcome of the project was a major input to the National Advisory Council on
Innovation’s (NACI) review on its position as science advisory body to the Minister of Science and
Technology.
Strategy consulting: Monitor Group South Africa (Johannesburg) – Strategy consultant
(Permanent) (August 2006 – December 2007)
Financial sector
Project: Strategy for private equity fund (Major investment bank) (August – September 2007) (6 weeks)
 Project description: A strategy project for the private equity department of a major bank looking
at creating a new private equity fund through moving their private equity investments offbalance sheet.
 Responsibilities: Analysis of the investment portfolio in order to determine the optimal portfolio
to be transferred to the new entity.
Project: Due diligence project: Hardware sector (2 months)
 Project description: Detailed competitor, company analysis and forecasted growth of the target
company in order to inform a purchase decision for our client.
 Responsibilities: Company analysis, including industry projections, company structure, product
offering, financials; also developed company’s discounted cash flow model.
Public sector: Tourism
Project: Global overview of South African Tourism as a brand (April 2007 – May 2007) (2 months)
 Project description: Developed a global oversight report on development of South African
Tourism as a brand in 14 markets and progress made in strengthening the brand over the
previous 4 years.
 Responsibilities: Supervised 2 junior members working on the team. Managed project and drove
the intellectual agenda on the development of the report.
Project: 4 year review (September 2006 – February 2007) (7 months)
 Project description: Analysed the value drivers of the South African tourism industry over the
2002 – 2005 period and reviewed the progress the tourism industry had made towards achieving
its objectives of increasing arrivals, spend, length of stay, provinces visited and improved
seasonality patterns.
 Responsibilities: Development of analysis and a model, as well as creating a user-friendly front
end for the client to be able to make use of the model for analysis. Shared responsibility for
analysis and communication of findings to the client.
Dynamic strategies co. (Johannesburg, South Africa) – Dynamic system modeller
(May 2005 – July 2006)
Part-time (2 days a week) work at a strategy consulting company specialising in the development of
system dynamics models to develop business strategies for a wide range of industries. Participated in
conceptualisation, model development and simulation of scenario tests and “what-if “ analyses on the
following projects:
Project: Kees Beyers chocolate factory
 Project description: Worked in a team of 3 to develop a System Dynamics Model for a South
African-based chocolate manufacturer. The purpose of the model was to simulate a chocolate
manufacturing process in a factory. This model was intended for use to formulate a strategy to
increase the factory’s production levels.
 Achievement: Developed ordering, resources planning as well as production line modules. Tested
and ran scenarios for chocolate factory to strategise shift planning and resources needs to deal
with the growing demands for chocolates from its clients such as Woolworth’s (South Africa),
South African Airways and Marks & Spencer (UK).
Project: National Advisory Council on Innovation – Human Resources in Science and Technology
NACI is the highest-level advisory body in matters on science and Innovation to the South African Minister
of Science and Technology.
 Project description: The purpose of the system dynamics model is to simulate the process of
development of human resources in science and engineering in higher education institutions in
South Africa.
 Achievement: System analysis, model calibration and testing of the model to simulate the
process of the training and development of scientists and engineers in the South African higher
education sector.
Project: SASOL – HR talent management
 Project description: Worked in a team developing a model for SASOL’s human resources
management to assess the flow of human resources in the light of employment equity targets.
 Achievement: Responsible for calibrating the model, and running scenario tests to assess the
system and to find estimates for progress that could be made to achieve employment equity
targets while considering the retention rates of human resources and skills in the organisation.
Project: Toyota logistics
 Project description: The purpose of this model is to simulate the Toyota logistics system of
carriers as they deliver vehicles from the Toyota plant to distribution points and dealers on
different routes across South Africa.
 Achievement: Involved in the population of the model with test data and running scenario tests
to formulate strategies for Toyota to utilise their carriers.
University of Pretoria (Researcher, part-time, 25 hours a week) (contract)
(April 2004 – July 2006)
Employed as a PhD student research assistant at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Main duties were
to assist in research activities and projects of the Department of Engineering and Technology
Management.
Project: Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) (May – June 2004)
 Project description: The purpose of the strategy formulation study was to identify fields of expertise
for the advancement of the competitive position of the South African automotive industry in the
international market.
 Achievement: Research to identify centres with expertise and capabilities (light and heavy materials,
electronics, design etc.) with potential for further development. Successfully reported on fields of
expertise, which led to the formulation of a strategy document for the AIDC by the University of
Pretoria.
IT project: cScape Strategic Internet Solutions (London, UK) – Analyst Developer
(Contract)
(October 2003 – January 2004)
Project: Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), London (UK)
 Responsibilities: Worked as a software developer in a team of 12 people responsible for the
development of modules for a content management system to be used for distance learning and
membership management. The system was developed in a .net environment.
 Achievements: Successfully delivered modules for the CIPD website project using the following
technologies: C# .net, Microsoft Content Management Server, Visual Source Safe, SQL, XSL, XML and
HTML.
IT consulting: Accenture South Africa – Business Analyst (Permanent)
(April 2002 – July 2003)
Project: South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) (May 2002 – July 2003)
Responsibilities: System owner bearing responsibility for the maintenance and utilisation of three major
computer-based systems used by the IEC namely:
 Project Charter System: Netcentric IT system used to allocate and track funding for projects run
on provincial and head-office level in the organisation.
 Candidate Nomination System: Netcentric IT system used to register candidates for national and
by-elections.
 Voter Registration System: Netcentric IT system used to register voters for elections. System
made use of a database the voters’ table of which had approximately 20 million entries (shared
responsibility).
 Part of a team of 3 tasked with the extremely complex task of modifying and enhancing IT
systems at the IEC to allow for the first floor crossing of candidates in South Africa in 2002.
Achievements: Gained experience in consulting with senior client personnel to discuss enhancements and
new developments to above-mentioned systems. Gained experience in user-requirement analysis, system
design and application implementation and testing of solutions in ASP, SQL, Visual Basic, Visual basic
script, Java script and Visual Source Safe, XSL, XML.
Project: Kingdom of Lesotho National Elections 2002 (April 2002-May 2002)
 Responsibilities: Junior member in a team of 2 people responsible for the development of Access
and Visual Basic application of a results system for the Kingdom of Lesotho national elections of
May 2002.
 Achievements: Development of results reporting system in Access. Successfully developed,
tested and stress tested application. The results system was successfully used by electoral
personnel to compute and report the results of the Kingdom of Lesotho national elections of 25
May 2002.
University of Pretoria – Assistant Lecturer (Electronic Commerce)
(Jan 2002 – April 2002)
 Responsibilities: Assisted in the conceptualisation and design of a postgraduate course entitled
“Secure Electronic Commerce”.
 Achievements: Successfully assisted in compiling curriculum for the postgraduate course from
M.Eng final project.
University of Pretoria – Assistant Lecturer (Photonics)
(Jan 2001 – Dec 2001)
 Responsibilities: Assisted in lecturing course titled “Photonics 320” to engineering students.
 Achievements: Successfully lectured and assisted students in course work.
University Education
Monitoring and Evaluation
Study objective: An in-depth understanding of the design, monitoring and evaluation of social
interventions
 Completed Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation Methods (with distinction) at
Stellenbosch University, South Africa in 2013.
o Achieved 87% for final project entitled “DRUSSA programme process evaluation and
synthesis monitoring report”.
Policy studies
Study objective: To gain an in-depth understanding of technology management, innovation, strategy
development, negotiation and policy studies
 Completed MPhil in Technology Policy (with distinction) at the University of Cambridge (United
Kingdom) in July 2011.
o Graduated top of class: Only person in a group of 36 students that was awarded the
degree with distinction.
o Awarded an Oppenheimer Memorial Trust grant to support further study at the
University of Cambridge (Value: R135,000).
o Awarded BP Centenary Bursary by University of Cambridge Trust to contribute to
university composition fees (Value R24,000).
Engineering studies
Study objective: To gain valuable insight in complex system analysis, to further develop research skills
and to develop a publication record
 Completed PhD (Engineering) at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) with thesis titled “R&D
in the National System of Innovation: A System Dynamics Model”.
The model-building study examined the delayed effect of R&D investment on the ability of a
national system of innovation to assimilate new knowledge and to create R&D output. The
outcome of the thesis was a simulation model intended for use by the South African government
as a tool to assess national R&D policy alternatives.
o Awarded postgraduate scholarship at UP for PhD studies (2004, 2005).
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Awarded a number of scholarships and grants for research and further study (total period of one
year) at the Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) during PhD research project:
o Awarded Nuffic-DELTA scholarship for 6 months’ study at the Eindhoven University of
Technology (Netherlands) (2005), value 6 000 Euros.
o Awarded grant from Eindhoven Centre of Innovation Studies (ECIS) for 6 months’
overseas study at Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) (2004, 2005), value
5 400 Euros.
o Awarded scholarship by the University of Pretoria through Graduate Study Abroad
Programme for study at Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands) (2005), value
R18 000.
Completed MEng (Computer Engineering) (with distinction) at the University of Pretoria, South
Africa in 2001.
o Achieved 83% for final project entitled “Secure electronic commerce”.
o Awarded postgraduate achievement scholarship at the University of Pretoria for
Masters studies (2001).
o Awarded Academic Honorary Colours by the University of Pretoria (2001).
Completed BEng (Electronic Engineering) (with distinction) at the University of Pretoria, South
Africa in 2000.
o Awarded full scholarship for undergraduate studies – Telkom South Africa (1998, 1999,
2000), value R100 000.
o Awarded University of Pretoria undergraduate scholarship (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000).
o Awarded academic honorary colours by the University of Pretoria (2000).
Non-degree purpose coursework and extension studies:
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Certificate in science communication: An introduction to theory, best practice and practical skills
(2015).
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Completed certificate course in doctoral supervision, African Doctoral Academy (2014).
Completed course in “Intermediate Dutch” at the Eindhoven University of Technology (final
mark: 80%) (January 2006).
Completed the following courses through the University of Pretoria (2004).
o Systems Engineering (final mark: 78%)
o Entrepreneurship (final mark: 69%)
o Research methodology (final mark: 85%)
Completed certificate course in “Operations and Service Management Strategy” at the Centre of
Continuing Education at the University of Pretoria, August 2004.
Completed Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 (2001).
Research output
Accredited peer reviewed journal publications (Published)
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Grobbelaar S., Buys A.J., 2005. A conceptual model of an R&D performing sector in the National
System of Innovation. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering. Published: South African
Journal of Industrial Engineering, November 2005.
Grobbelaar S., Buys A.J., 2006. Issues facing the South African research and development system
in the next 20 years, South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, November 1, 2007.
Grobbelaar S., Gauche, P., Brent A., 2014. Developing a competitive CSP industry in South Africa:
Current gaps and recommended next steps. Development Southern Africa, 31(3), 475-493.
Osunyomi, B.D., Grobbelaar, S.S., 2015, Integrating eHealth in HIV/AIDS intervention
programmes in South Africa, South African Journal of Information Management 17(1), Art. #623,
10 pages. http://dx.doi. org/10.4102/sajim.v17i1.623.
Accredited peer reviewed journal publications (Accepted)
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Grobbelaar, S., Harber, T., 2014. Towards the institutionalisation of research uptake
management in Sub-Saharan African Universities. Accepted for publication in Journal of Higher
Education in Africa in November 2014.
Grobbelaar, S., De Wet, G., 2014. Exploring pathways towards an integrated development role:
The University of Fort Hare. Accepted for publication in South African Journal of Higher Education
in October 2014.
Grobbelaar S., Gwynne Evans, N., Brent, A., 2015. From Enterprise Development to Inclusive
Innovation – a framework for supporting policy-learning in the Western Cape Province of South
Africa, Accpted for publication in AJSTID in November 2015.
Peer reviewed journal publications in submission process (to accredited journals)
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Grobbelaar, S., Meyer, I., 2015. Pathways to regional economic integration in SACU: Lessons from
case studies of value chain integration in the automotive and agro-processing industries,
submitted to Development Southern Africa in February 2015.
Tijssen, R., Dijksterhuis, M., Grobbelaar, S., 2015. African universities and Inclusive Innovation:
towards a system of innovation framework, submitted to African Journal of Science Technology
Innovation and Development in March 2015.
Articles currently being authored for submission to peer reviewed journals in 2016
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Grobbelaar, S., De Wet, G., 2015. Research uptake and intermediary platforms: An integrated
facilitating system for sustainable community development at the University of Fort Hare in May
2015.
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Pillay, D.J., Grobbelaar, S., von Leipzig, K., (2016). Development of a warehouse management
maturity model framework.
Conference articles (Peer reviewed and published in conference proceedings)
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Grobbelaar S., Buys A.J., 2005. “A System Dynamics Model of R&D in the South African System of
Innovation”, conference paper, PICMET conference, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Grobbelaar S., Buys A.J., 2006. “Research and Development in the South African System of
Innovation – Application of a System Dynamics Model to the Higher Education System”,
conference paper, IAMOT conference, Beijing, China.
Grobbelaar S., 2012. Planning cities for a sustainable and green economy: Urban and regional
competitiveness. SAPI conference 2012, Durban, 17-19 September 2012.
Grobbelaar S., Kirkland J., 2013. The Development and Management of Research Uptake in SubSaharan Africa. Keynote address, International Association of Scientific and Technological
University Libraries (IATUL), Cape Town, 16 April 2013.
Babasile, D., Grobbelaar, S., 2014. Exploring the current and future role of ICTs in HIV/AIDS
intervention programs in South Africa. PICMET 2014 Conference, Kanazawa, Japan.
Miya, L., Grobbelaar, S., 2015. Risk-based maintenance on physical assets: Ekurhuleni
Metropolitan Municipality Water Services, accepted to be published in proceedings of IAMOT
2015, Cape Town.
Mbata, L., Grobbelaar, S., 2015. Towards a best practice approach for measuring and reporting
benefits of strategic sourcing of technology, accepted to be published in proceedings of IAMOT
2015, Cape Town.
Conference articles (Published as working papers)
Conference articles (abstracts submitted and accepted - to be published in conference
proceedings)
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Chatukuta, S., Grobbelaar, S., (2016). Analysis of inclusive innovation business models of inclusive
innovation in the Healthcare industry in South Africa. PICMET conference 2016, Honolulu,
Hawaii.
van der Merwe, E., Grobbelaar, S., (2016). A framework for evaluating Inclusive Innovation
performance: The case of the eHealth innovation system in the Stellenbosch region, South Africa.
PICMET conference 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Grobbelaar, S., van der Merwe, E, (2016). Supporting inclusive innovation: Developing improved
analytical methods and STI policy instruments to operationalise inclusive innovation. PICMET
conference 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kunnath, C., Grobbelaar, S., (2016). Skills Transfer in the Digital Age: Evaluating e-Learning
Effectiveness at a Parastatal. Submitted to 2016 SAICET conference, Pretoria, South Africa.
Industry application presentations (Peer reviewed and published in conference
proceedings)
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Grobbelaar S., Gwynne Evans, N., 2014. Quo Vadis? 20 years of supporting regional economic
development in the Western Cape Province of South Africa – a framework for embedding
innovation. PICMET 2014 Conference, Kanazawa, Japan.
Books
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Grobbelaar, S., 2012. Clustering for Competitiveness: Urban Patterns for a Green Economy, UNHabitat available at http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/listItemDetails.aspx?publicationID=3340.
Conference presentations/papers (no published proceedings)
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Grobbelaar S., Verhoef G., 2012. Entrepreneurial activities at a Faculty of Health Sciences.
SARIMA 2012, Port Elizabeth, 5 – 7 September 2012.
Grobbelaar S., Coates D., 2012. Development Research Uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa. SARIMA
2012, Port Elizabeth, 5 – 7 September 2012.
Grobbelaar S., 2012. “Clustering for competitiveness”. International Association of Impact
Assessment, Somerset West, 28 August 2012.
Grobbelaar S., 2013. Towards higher impact for universities in a regional system of innovation.
International Sustainable Development Research Conference (ISDRC) 2013, Stellenbosch, 1 – 3
July 2013.
Grobbelaar S., 2014. “A strategic approach to institutionalising RUM”, SARIMA conference,
Gaborone, Botswana, 10 July 2014.
Tijssen, R., Dijksterhuis, M., Grobbelaar, S., 2014. Universities and Inclusive Innovation: A
fledging innovation system in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. UNU-Merit conference,
Maastricht, November 2014.
Grobbelaar, S., Dijksterhuis, M., 2015. Towards a research agenda for university-driven inclusive
innovations: A review of universities in the Western Cape of South Africa. Accepted for
presentation at Globelics Conference 2015 in Havana, Cuba
Conference articles currently under construction (no proceedings)
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Botha, L., Grobbelaar, S., (2016). A Framework On Methods To Evaluate Innovation Systems.,
Extended abstract submitted to R&D Management Conference, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Grobbelaar, S., Williams, J. (2016), Making it happen – Towards a coherent approach for
community interaction at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Extended abstract submitted to
R&D Management Conference, Cambridge, United Kingdom
De Wet, G., Grobbelaar, S. (2016). Research uptake and inclusive innovative intermediary
platforms: An integrated facilitating system for sustainable scholarly community engagement and
development at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. Extended abstract submitted to R&D
Management Conference, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Research reports / Advisory notes
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Grobbelaar, S., 2008. A review of international bodies that provide science advice to government.
Report for the National Advisory Council on Innovation available at
http://www.repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/6757/grobbelaar_review(2008).pdf?seq
uence=3.
Barnard, P., Bailey, A., Grobbelaar, S., Mitchell, C., July 2010. “Innovation at the University of
Cape Town”. Review document to evaluate and develop base for innovation strategy for the
university.
Grobbelaar, S., 2012. “Towards a strategic framework for innovation at UCT – Best practice
examples from the UK”. This was a literature review and development of a conceptual
framework for the university.
Grobbelaar, S., 2013. Building institutional capacity for Research Uptake available at
http://www.cput.ac.za/storage/research/uptake/building_institutional_capacity_for_research_u
ptake.pdf.
Boum, Y., Facknath, S., Lalljee, V., Grobbelaar, S., Joubert, M., 2014. Developing a stakeholder
engagement and science communication plan: Two case studies.
Grobbelaar, S., Boshoff, N., Joubert, M., 2014. Perspectives and themes in knowledge utilisation,
pp 163 (An in-depth literature review of the field of Knowledge Utilisation in partial fulfilment of
targets for DRUSSA programme).
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Grobbelaar, S., 2014. Regional economic integration in SACU: the automotive industry, pp 32.
Report to SACU to support a trade and transport facilitation assessment (funded by World Bank).
Tijssen, R., Dijksterhuis, M., Grobbelaar, S., 2014. Universities and Inclusive Innovation: A case
study of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Research report for the LDE Center on
Innovation and Technology Networks in Africa.
Grobbelaar, S., (2015). Bio-economy metrics and survey: Briefing document – an evaluator’s
perspective. Submitted as discussion document to the National Advisory Council on Innovation’s
(NACI) working group on the South African Bio-economy strategy.
Monitoring and Evaluation reports authored /co-authored
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DRUSSA Programme Process Evaluation and Synthesis Monitoring Report, September 2013
DRUSSA Programme Annual Report, September 2014.
Selected presentations of research
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Colloquium presentation, “R&D in the National System of Innovation – project proposal”,
University of Pretoria, South Africa, 4 August 2004.
Colloquium presentation, “R&D in the SA System of Innovation – a conceptual model”,
Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, 7 March 2005.
Colloquium presentation, “R&D in the National System of Innovation – Research plan”, University
of Pretoria, South Africa, 22 June 2005
Research Seminar, “The development of R&D capacity in Researchers in South Africa’s Higher
Education system – a dynamic analysis”, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, 11
January 2006.
Final defence for PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria; “R&D in the NSI – A system
dynamics Model”, 6 December 2006.
“Constructing a composite innovation indicator for South Africa: proposed methodology and
approach”, NACI, IRG expert workshop on measuring and monitoring innovation in South Africa 22 October 2009) available at http://www.docstoc.com/docs/74363343/IRG-expert-workshopon-measuring-and-monitoring-innovation-in.
Brown bag (Open to whole department) session at the Department of Science And Technology,
South Africa – presentation entitled: “Policy ideas from the UK”, 25 June 2012.
Participated in panel discussion on innovation at 1st Stellenbosch Innovation District conference,
July, 2013.
Research presentation to the Economies of Regions Learning Network - “The role of Universities
in regional innovation systems”, 6 March 2013.
Colloquium presentation - Fort Hare colloquium. “Pathways towards an integrated development
role: A learning approach”. University of Fort Hare, 7 October 2014.
Research presentation to the Economies of Regions Learning Network (2014) – “Suggested
Research Framework: Supporting innovation, cluster and value chains - on a regional level”, 13
October 2014.
Conference presentation for DRUSSA programme – “Some thoughts on Monitoring and
Evaluation for Research Uptake management and Research Impact Assessment”, Protea Hotel,
Sea Point, 10 December 2014.
DST seminar for impact evaluation of inclusive innovation, “Evaluating system change in inclusive
innovation systems”, CSIR, 30 March 2015.
Grobbelaar, S., van der Merwe, E., 2015. Supporting inclusive growth on the sub national level: A
stage model for supporting the development of inclusive innovation systems. Presented at the
Economic of Regions Learning Network Conference, Johannesburg, 15-16 October 2015
Popular publications
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Grobbelaar, S.S., 2012. Development research and uptake: In search of better governance,
available at www.DRUSSA.net.
Grobbelaar, S.S., 2013. Four-part blog series on the Institutionalissation of Research Uptake at
Universities, available at www.DRUSSA.net.
Grobbelaar, S.S., Grobbelaar, A.S., November 2013. South African Energy Technologies within
Reach, Intellectual Property Magazine.
Grobbelaar, S.S., 2014. Four-part blog series on “Research Uptake Policy: Key heuristics,
metaphors, theories and frameworks” available at www.DRUSSA.net
Workshops / Short courses / Lecturing
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DRUSSA short courses on “Knowledge to policy” at various locations in South Africa, Ghana,
Kenya in 2012.
Short course to Energy Regulators’ meeting – Policy mapping and influencing policy making
(Funded by USAID, Trade Hub Southern Africa), December 2012.
Lecturing on “Knowledge-to-Policy” to Science and Technology Studies (STS) MPhil students at
CREST, University Stellenbosch, 2012 – 2014.
Lecturing on “STI Policy” to Technology Management MPhil students at Industrial Engineering
Department, University Stellenbosch, 2015.
Guest lectures
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Annual guest lecturer to MPhil Sustainable Development students at the Sustainability Institute,
Stellenbosch University, with one-day course entitled “Policy mapping and influencing policy
making”,23 July 2012, 21 May 2013, 20 May 2014.
Other academic activities
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External moderator for System Dynamic Modelling course of MPhil Sustainabile Development
students at the Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch University.
External examiner for Masters student from faculty of Economics and Finance, Tshwane
University of Technology (2014).
Review of paper for African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development
(AJSTID), Augusts 2014.
Reviewer for conference article submissions, International Sustainable Development Research
Conference (ISDRC) 2013.
Reviewer for conference article submissions for PICMET 2014.
Reviewer for conference article submissions for IAMOT 2015.
Reviewer for Research Evaluation.
Post Graduate student supervision
Masters students – University of Pretoria (MEM/MTM)
Name
Daniel
Osunyomi
Lindani Mbata
Lungisani Miya
Title
Exploring the role of information and communication
technology in response to HIV/AIDS: Boosting awareness,
prevention, treatment and care in South Africa
Towards a best practice approach for measuring and
reporting benefits of Strategic Sourcing of Technology in
Company S”
Application of risk-based maintenance approach on physical
Completed
2013
2013
2014
Xolela Dyanti
Cijina Kunnath
Leith Cummins
Thami Behane
LB Rammea
KB Numbi
assets as a strategic decision making tool: The case of
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Water Services
A Technology management process assessment for Eskom
Skills transfer in the digital age: An Eskom Distribution case
study – evaluating e-Learning effectiveness
Inter-organisational collaboration and innovation
performance of medical device developers in South Africa
Barriers to optimal technology transfer: A Case Study At De
Beers Marine
Evaluation of e-Government evaluation in Lesotho
Innovativeness of firms in mining industries in Africa: Case
of the DR-Congo copper-belt
Masters students – Stellenbosch University (Industrial Engineering)
Name
Title
Louisa Botha
A Framework to guide the evaluation of inclusive
innovation systems aimed at the empowerment of the BoP
Edward van der Bridging the divide between formal-informal markets
Merwe
through operationalising inclusive innovation
business models
Chiara
Project portfolio management
Oosthuizen
Lauren Coetzee Sustainable business models for early child development
centres
PhD students – University of Stellenbosch
Name
Title
Vincent Lomotey
“Research Uptake Management: A strategic framework
for institutionalising Research Uptake at Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology”.
Felicitas Moyo
“The state of social science research for policy utilization
in Zambia”.
Isaac Salagae
“Development of frameworks to address policy gaps
within the National System of Innovation: The
Renewable Energy Case in South Africa“.
Michael van der
The Base of the Pyramid: A growth promoting
Merwe
framework for SME action
References
Available on request
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