Foresight in South Africa: Estimating Results through the Prism of Time

Abstract

The proposed material is unique because it evaluates the results of a Foresight project after the expiry of the planned time horizon - 10 years. It is shown that Foresight had very limited impact on national innovation policy. Although it contributed to the development of consensus among stakeholders, increased their awareness and public participation, however in identifying new technological purposes its success has been far more modest. The author concludes that thoroughly planned activities under Foresight would be much more in favor of innovation policy. Particularly it is needed to clarify the motivations of key actors that would require further research of their behavior.