Title:
Strategic Role of Government, Size and Open Innovation Among Science and Technology Parks in Africa

Authors:
Ruth Muriithi, Prof. David Kiragu, Kenya

Abstract:

Open innovation is known to be a key driver of sustainable development, fostering collaboration and partnerships among key stakeholders. This study examined the impact of strategic role of government on open innovation and the moderating role of Science and Technology Parks (STPs) size. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design, targeting 70 managers from 14 Science and Technology Parks, the study collected primary data using structured email questionnaire. The tool was evaluated for internal consistency using Cronbach alpha coefficient and for numerical construct validity using Kaiser-Meyer Olkin Coefficient.  Data was tested for regression assumptions and linear discriminant analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The study found that linear discriminant analysis model had an associated canonical correlation of 0.962 and Wilks’ Lambda of 0.110 with well differentiated functions at group centroids. The study further found that the strategic role of government explained approximately 92.54% of the variations in open innovation classifications among Science and Technology Parks in Africa.  The hit ratio for the confusion matrix and Jack-Knief classifications achieved 90% correct classifications for both initial and the cross-validated group cases. STP size did not have a statistically significant influence on the relationship between strategic role of government and open innovation.  This study recommends that government policy, financing mechanisms and promotional role should not be significantly differentiated across different STP sizes.  In order to enhance innovations, stakeholders should not regard STP size as bottleneck towards effective engagement & collaborations and instead, should consider STPs as equal partners in the innovation ecosystems.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2025.91018