Nedlac Research
Nedlac is most often associated with intense negotiations over
detailed pieces of legislation. However the central force of the
organisation, dialogue between the representatives of community,
labour, business and government, influences a number of other
processes. Central amongst the processes is research. Although not
having a high profile there are currently nine large-scale
researchprojects, with an approximate value of R14 million, being
conducted under the auspices ofNedlac.
Counterpart groups constituted by representatives of the Nedlac
parties manage Nedlac's research agenda. Researchers that are
contracted by Nedlac are obligated to report to the counterpart
groups on aregular basis. By virtue of Nedlac's nature, the
representatives on the counterpart groups have a range of divergent
experiences and knowledge. This wide scope of knowledge adds to the
research process in a number of ways.
First, by drawing in the experiential knowledge of
constituencies, additional information is continually added to the
final research product. Second, the many different roles that
Nedlac representatives occupy in society enable them to
strategically locate research in relation to existing processes and
information. Third, the focus of Nedlac's constituencies on
furtheringthe goals of growth and equity means that they are
continually pushing researchers to focus on how the research
results will enable South Africa to further those goals.
FRIDGE
Nedlac research takes place through three channels. The Fund for
Research into Industrial Development, Growth andEquity (FRIDGE) is
a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funded subcommittee of
theTrade and Industry Chamber that undertakes research aimed at
furthering thecompetitiveness of the South African economy.
Currently, Fridge is funding sevenlarge-scale projects. Some
studies, such as the development of guidelines on SouthAfrica's
Standards, Quality Accreditation and Metrology infrastructure, are
aimed at strengthening the economic structures that facilitate
development and growth. Others arefocussed on exploring the growth
possibilities and requirements of innovative industries.These
studies inc one on the development of high technology industries
based onsilicon, another on the requirements for strengthening
South Africa's cut flowerindustry and yet another on the
possibilities of developing South Africa'smanufacturing capacity in
generic pharmaceuticals. A unique study on South Africa'sTourism
Industry, which is co-funded by the Departments of Trade and
Industry,Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and Transport has
encouraged the development ofcommunity-based pilot projects,
exploring the development and contribution of tourism tolocal
economies. This study will provide valuable lessons on how to
bolster processes that stimulate local economic development through
tourism.
CHAMBERS
The second channel through whichresearch occurs is through
Nedlac's chambers. This research relates to the workprogramme of
the chamber and aims at influencing the development of policy
within that chamber. At present, there are two large projects of
this nature.
The Infrastructure DatabaseProject is housed within the
Development Chamber and is funded by the Department
ofConstitutional Development. This project will be completed by the
end of September 1999and has undertaken a 3000 household survey in
KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the NorthernProvince assessing people's
experiences of infrastructure delivery. In addition, theresearchers
have undertaken a qualitative assessment of impediments to the
delivery ofinfrastructure. This work will be of great value in
improving systems of delivery.
The Workplace Challenge Projectoriginated in the Trade and
Industry Chamber and is funded by the Department of Trade
andIndustry. The Workplace Challenge funds the implementation of
workplace change infactories and sectors in which managers and
workers jointly define and manage the changeprocess. The research
is conducted in collaboration with academic institutions in
anexplicit attempt to build the capacity of these institutions to
assist both industrial parties to meet the challenges posed by
workplace change. To date a report on theimplementation of the
Workplace Challenge in the Plastics sector has been completed,
ashave two 'toolkits' which have distilled the lessons learnt from
the process.There are currently nine academic researchers allied to
the Workplace Challenge.
ANNUAL REPORT
The third research channel at Nedlac is the Annual Report. This
report both details Nedlac's activities during thepast year as well
as integrates the most current research on growth and equity.
SinceNedlac's inception, this report has provided a useful resource
to constituencies,researchers and commentators who require a
thumbnail sketch of developments in SouthAfrica society. This
year's edition attempts to provide a more detailed sense of the
internal operations of Nedlac and the positions of constituencies
on the functioning of the institution.
Over and above these formal research projects, Nedlac
facilitates a flow of research information to both
itsconstituencies and the wider public. In the past year, Nedlac
constituencies have beenbriefed on the re-engineering of Statistics
South Africa's data series on employment,labour force experiences
and manufacturing. In addition, the Nedlac secretariat responds to
an average 100 public inquiries a month for information that falls
within the ambits of Nedlac's work. In these cases Nedlac does not
undertake any formal work, but facilitates valuable communication
that reduces information costs in the economy.
The Nedlac website contains a comprehensive listing of research
conducted under the auspices of Nedlac. In the coming months
thewebsite will feature a research database that will detail all
the work conducted withinSouth Africa on specific topics. This will
serve to further Nedlac's role in the co-ordination of research.
All reports listed on the website are available.