Moving beyond the challenges and seizing the opportunities: A study of South African universities’ efforts to protect their research and innovation offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Like all organisations globally, South African universities were caught off-guard by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. To manage its financial and contractual/legal risks when faced with a threat such as pandemic, an organisation needs integrated insight through use available information to assess possible disruptions be able respond appropriately. This study analyses status in respect their research innovation offerings, particular nature contracts ability COVID-19. Interviews conducted senior managers seven universities. Some themes that emerged from these interviews analysed using extracts management maturity model (FMMM) (Comptroller Auditor General 2018). It was reassuring find contractual can mostly mitigated. However, lack strategic lower levels made it difficult for most this pandemic