The DBSA operates on the premise that socio-economic development is essentially about sharing knowledge resources which, when combined with the application of financial and human resources, ensures sustainable development outcomes. The Research & Information Division was established to guide the Bank in becoming a Centre of Excellence in Development and Infrastructure.
RESEARCH AGENDA
| The DBSA’s research function focuses on applied research that yields knowledge that is applicable to policy, planning and decision-making processes, both within the DBSA and externally to its clients and stakeholders. To ensure that research is relevant to the needs of the DBSA and its clients, a research agenda is set annually, highlighting the priorities in different fields of research. |
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In the reassessment of the Vision 2014 strategy, several guidelines affect the research agenda, including the following:
Programmes within the Research Agenda are:
- Flagship Programme
- Economics and Environmental Programme
- Finance and Institutional Programme
- Infrastructure Programme
- Social Programme
- Rapid Response Research Programme
The Bank produces significant research, knowledge and insights about development in South Africa, the region and the rest of Africa. It is of paramount importance that this collective knowledge is widely shared, both internally and externally with clients, including borrowers, policy-makers, academics, donors and students. Apart from ongoing advocacy, which is delivered through participation in different government and private forums, knowledge is also shared through publications, conferences and workshops, and by promoting greater cooperation and collaboration in knowledge management through memoranda of understanding.
DEVELOPMENT PUBLICATIONS
The following development publications were published by the DBSA during 2005/06:
- DBSA Infrastructure Barometer 2006: Economic and municipal infrastructure in South Africa (edited by Marié Kirsten)
- Municipal Statistical Infrastructure Review: 1996 and 2001 (compiled by Andries Mouton)
- Mpumalanga Development Profile (compiled by DBSA Development Information Unit)
- Productivity and Economic Performance in South Africa: A provincial and municipal gross value added perspective (compiled by NE Maroge)
- Footprints of Development: The DBSA contribution (edited by Danie Swart)
- Provincial Socio-economic Profiles (for all the nine provinces) (compiled by DBSA Development Information Unit)
- People of Gauteng: Projections 1996–2021 (compiled by Johan Calitz)
- Quantification of Poverty in South Africa: An inter-regional profile (compiled by Carel Meintjes, Frans Jacobs and Andries Mouton)
- Regional Socio-economic Analysis (edited by Carel Meintjes)
- The Involvement of Small Contractors, Women and Community in Road Construction: The N4 case study (compiled by Glenn Havemann)
- Appraisal of Projects at the DBSA (compiled by Dr Priscilla de Gasparis)
- Guide to Best Practice in the Operation, Maintenance and Safety of Dams (compiled by DBSA Specialist Unit)
- Lessons Learnt Report 2005: Impact and lessons from selected DBSA-supported projects in Southern Africa (by Mmakgomo Tshatsinde)
- The Employment of People with Disabilities in South Africa (compiled by DBSA Employment Equity Unit)
- Implementing the DBSA’s Knowledge Management Strategy: Progress in 2004/05 (edited by Dr Dumisani Magadlela)
- A DBSA Perspective on Sustainable Development: Towards responsible investment in infrastructure (compiled by Glenn Havemann)
- Training manual: A DBSA Perspective on Sustainable Development – towards responsible investment in infrastructure (compiled by Glenn Havemann)
- A Guide to Organisational Policy Formulation (compiled by Dr Moraka-Nakedi Makhura)
- A Long-term Partnership (a joint DBSA/AfD publication)