**15. Data collection**

By using a survey questionnaire, quantitative data was collected from a sample of 33 managers with research and development responsibilities. Four major automotive component manufacturers participated in the research and provided all 33 respondents. These firms were distributed as Kwazulu natal (2), Gauteng (6) and Eastern cape (2). Some automotive component manufacturers refused to participate in the research, citing confidentiality issues with their clients, Original Equipment Manufacturers with head offices based globally. A total of 33 (75.3%) responses were received.
