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Organisation profiles Institute for Futures Research (IFR) - South Africa
Contact details Institute for Futures Research
PO Box 2010
BELLVILLE 7535
South Africa
Telephone: (021) 918-4144 (National)
+27-21-918-4144 (International)
Fax: (021) 918-4146 (National)
+27-21-918-4146 (International)
e-mail: future@...
http://www.ifr.sun.ac.za/
Main contact person Prof Andre Roux
Director
andre@...
Tel: (021) 918-4145
Fax: (021) 918-4146
Background, mission and goals Established in 1974, the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) is a research institution of the University of Stellenbosch specialising in futures studies primarily as a support service for knowledge and strategic management. The IFR's research focus is on the following fields of specialisation: - Business futuristics and the systems approach to transformation management
- Long-term economic structure studies
- Applied demographics
- Technology foresight
- Socio-political studies
- Energy futures
The mission of the Institute for Futures Research is to provide a most comprehensive and the best service in business futuristics to decision-makers in South Africa.
The philosophy of the Institute is that organisations can create the future they desire by clearly visualising what they want, and achieve it by understanding positive factors and obstacles on the path to success.
Innovative leadership and the co-operation of all stakeholders are prerequisites to creating the desired future. An essential part of the process is a shared understanding of the patterns of change in the broader South African context.
Approach, organisational programmes and activities: To help decision-makers develop their ability to think and act creatively, the Institute for Futures Research provides the following support service: - A series of weekly, monthly and annual publications dealing with trends, their interpretation and other information vital to corporate strategists and planners.
- A programme of breakfast meetings in Johannesburg and Cape Town at which leading observers discuss current political and economic developments.
- A series of workshops, lectures and short courses are presented by the IFR. Many topics in business futuristics are covered, such as environmental scanning, the organisational environment, strategic management, new developments in management and the management of technology. The setting up of strategic learning and planning exercises for organisations is provided in workshop mode.
- Two conferences dealing with themes of vital importance to South African organisations are organised each year. Experts and influential leaders in the field are invited to take part in the programmes.
- In-house support services to organisations on request.
- The opportunity to initiate and participate in research projects undertaken by the IFR.
Energy Studies are conducted by a group of researchers within the IFR. The primary objective of this ongoing project is to highlights issues influencing energy policy-formulation in South Africa. This is done by informing policy-makers about the total environment within which they operate, and by providing a strategic learning process. The project is funded by the Department of Minerals and Energy.
The IFR is conducting ongoing research into the management of technology, a new field of study which has only emerged as such in recent years. Technology is a major driver of change, and understanding how to implement it in the corporate environment can lead to significant competitive advantages.
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