48
S. Liphadzi et al.
Fig. 6 Innovations produced by various key specialised research areas
together for between 3 and 5 years, but in this case, the two programmes are still
new and under development, which explains why there were no innovations reported
from these two programmes. The impact and importance of each innovation were
based on the criteria shown in Table 1.
3.2 Milestones and Research Gaps in WEF Nexus Research
The WRC-led research on WEF nexus shows a clear trajectory, where the initial
work was mainly on the literature review, presenting the approach as a conceptual
framework and as a discourse tool. However, current research has shifted towards
transitioning the approach into an analytical tool, as well as an operational framework.
Initial WEF nexus research funded by the WRC did well in presenting the approach
as a conceptual framework that simplifies human understanding of the complex linkages among WEF resources and promoting coherence in policy-making, enhancing
sustainable development. As a discourse tool, the approach has been well portrayed
as a problem-framing concept that promotes cross-sectoral collaboration [42, 51,
56, 60]. This initial research managed to unpack the intricacies of the WEF nexus
as a decision support tool for integrated resources management and poverty alleviation, vulnerability reduction, promotion of inclusive development and regional
integration, as well as building resilient communities in the advent of climate change
[51, 60].
Several research outputs in the form of publications were made during this theoretical stage, but evidently lacking on the analytics component to transform the WEF
S. Liphadzi et al.
Fig. 6 Innovations produced by various key specialised research areas
together for between 3 and 5 years, but in this case, the two programmes are still
new and under development, which explains why there were no innovations reported
from these two programmes. The impact and importance of each innovation were
based on the criteria shown in Table 1.
3.2 Milestones and Research Gaps in WEF Nexus Research
The WRC-led research on WEF nexus shows a clear trajectory, where the initial
work was mainly on the literature review, presenting the approach as a conceptual
framework and as a discourse tool. However, current research has shifted towards
transitioning the approach into an analytical tool, as well as an operational framework.
Initial WEF nexus research funded by the WRC did well in presenting the approach
as a conceptual framework that simplifies human understanding of the complex linkages among WEF resources and promoting coherence in policy-making, enhancing
sustainable development. As a discourse tool, the approach has been well portrayed
as a problem-framing concept that promotes cross-sectoral collaboration [42, 51,
56, 60]. This initial research managed to unpack the intricacies of the WEF nexus
as a decision support tool for integrated resources management and poverty alleviation, vulnerability reduction, promotion of inclusive development and regional
integration, as well as building resilient communities in the advent of climate change
[51, 60].
Several research outputs in the form of publications were made during this theoretical stage, but evidently lacking on the analytics component to transform the WEF