Figure 6. Research output units by academic rank and employment status for RY2024 Figure 7. Postdoctoral research fellow publication by type for RY2024 For the RY2024, postdoctoral research fellows contributed 98 research output units, and this translate to 13% of the total CBE research output units. Journal articles 75% account for the largest share of the research units produced by the postdoctoral research fellows, followed by book chapters (13%), books (10%) and conference proceedings (2%). Patents RY2023 RY2024 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Scopus DOAJ IBSS SciELOSA WoS DHET 80% 4% 2% 17% 18% 4% 5% 1% 1% 56% 57% 1% 1% 10% 75% 13% 2% Journal articles Book chapters Book chapters Conference proceedings In business and economics, innovation is typically assessed differently from other disciplines. Rather than being measured primarily through patents, innovation in these fields is often reflected in policy impact, collaboration with industry, and broader societal contributions. These include the development of policy-relevant research, applied analytical tools, and partnerships with public and private sector institutions that inform economic decision-making and development initiatives. Notwithstanding these contributions, there remains scope for the CBE to further strengthen its innovation performance by expanding industry engagement, enhancing the societal relevance of research outputs, and increasing the visibility of policy-oriented scholarship. Research Funding The CBE demonstrated significant growth in research competitiveness during 2025, securing R25.81 million in new external funding. This achievement is anchored by ~R18 million raised from domestic stakeholders, including South African national government departments, municipalities, SETAs, state-owned enterprises, and private sector partners, complemented by ~R8 million sourced from international organisations. Beyond the monetary value, these capital inflows are a testament to the CBE’s rising credibility and relevance amongst industry leaders, government bodies, and global partners. These funds are being strategically deployed to enhance the College’s research capacity by financing innovative projects, providing scholarships for postgraduate students, and supporting the critical work of postdoctoral research fellows. This upward trajectory in funding directly supports our mission to remain at the forefront of regional and global academic discourse. Research Skills Development The CBE Honours research poster presentations, held annually, are designed to enhance the scientific research skills of Honours students while providing them with exposure to the dynamics of research conferences and professional workplace presentations. Participants acquire expertise in the art of creating effective research posters and develop their abilities to articulate and defend their findings before an audience. The annual project unfolds in two distinct phases. The first phase occurs within the CBE departments, where each department selects its top three posters for consideration. The second phase comprises two rounds of evaluation. In the initial round, electronically submitted poster designs are assessed by a panel of adjudicators. The subsequent round features students presenting their printed posters for in-person evaluation by the same panel. Prizes are awarded to the top three posters. Research Centres, Chairs and SARChI Our research hubs and SARChI Chairs serve as vital engines for innovation and interdisciplinary excellence, driving the College’s mission to produce research that is both globally competitive and locally impactful. This intellectual ecosystem is anchored by our distinguished SARChI Chairs in (1) Entrepreneurship Education, (2) Industrial Development, and (3) Transformative Innovation, 4IR, and Sustainable Development, all of which play a pivotal role in fostering high-level scholarship and postgraduate development. We are particularly proud to announce the 2025 expansion of our research footprint through the establishment of three new specialised centres: the Centre for Wellbeing, AI, and Societal Impact (C.WAIS), the Karl Mittermaier Centre for Philosophy of Economics (KMCPE), and the Wiseman Nkuhlu Centre for Innovation, Leadership, and Governance (WNCIG). These new entities join our robust existing portfolio of centres below. Collectively these centres address the unique research priorities of the African continent whilst enhancing the global visibility of our academic contributions. CBE Honours Research: Honours Poster Presentations 2025 36 37 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
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