Transcript Slide 1

The 4th International Seville Conference on
Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA)
12 & 13 May 2011
Exploring the use of futures research in
innovation systems
Patrick van der Duin, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
[email protected]
Tobias Heger, Technische Universitaet Berlin, Germany
[email protected]
Maximilian Schlesinger, EICT GmbH, Germany
[email protected]
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Linkage of futures research with innovation
• Futures research and innovation are two sides of the same coin.
• Quite a lot of research on the linkages between futures research and
innovation:
• Use of methods (Van der Duin, 2006)
• Organization of ‘technology intelligence processes’ (Lichtenthaler, 2007)
• Foresight influencing innovative capabilities (Rohrbeck & Gemunden,
2010)
• However:
• rise of ‘innovation systems’ and ‘open innovation’ approaches
• what does that mean for the use of futures research in innovation
systems or ‘open innovation’?
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Innovation systems / ‘open innovation’
Looking for suitable models
• ‘Triple helix model’:
• rather simplistic, no explicit linkage with the future
• ‘Regime approach of innovation systems’
• (also) no explicit linkage with the future, no actor-perspective
• ‘Functions of innovation systems’-approach:
• focus on future development, but no actor perspective
• the ‘Cyclic Innovation Model’:
• explicit linkage with future, and actor perspective
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
The ‘Cyclic Innovation Model’ (CIM): level 1
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
The ‘Cyclic Innovation Model’ (CIM): level 2
(process model)
hard knowledge infrastructure
manufacturing and processing industry
technological
research
integrated
engineering cycle
technical-oriented
sciences cycle
scientific exploration
differentiated
service cycle
social-oriented
sciences cycle
soft knowledge
infrastructure
product
creation
entrepreneurship
market
transitions
public and private service sector
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Three cases:
1. EICT:
• Public-private partnerships of industrial companies, institutes of
applied and scientific institutions
• Linking R&D-activities on ICT
2. EIT ICT Labs:
• Consortium of partners from academia, industry and research
institutes
• Focused on solving the European Innovation Paradox’
3.
‘Rijkswaterstaat’:
• Joint Innovation programme ‘Rijkswaterstaat’ and ‘Deltares’
• Finding truly new solutions to cope with rising sea levels
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Analysis of ‘Rijkswaterstaat’ & ‘Deltares’ :
No
consensus
Not so ‘open’ (trends &
partners), managing
political context
Only if it is
really new
Not
formalized/
explicit
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Cross-case analysis (1):
Stage 1: EICT
Stage 3:
Rijkswaterstaat
Stage 2: EIT ICT
Labs
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Cross case analysis (2):
1. Stage 1: Strategic (EICT)
2. Stage 2: Tactical (EIT ICT Labs)
3. Stage 3: Operational (‘Rijkswaterstaat’ )
• ‘Transition path’ to a complete CIM (ensuring feedback
mechanisms); different levels of ‘development’
• Leadership is different in the thee stages:
1. Stage 1: bringing together and convincing
2. Stage 2: converting good intentions into a working plan
3. Stage 3: operational responsibility, linking each part of the
framework
Exploring the use of futures research in innovation systems
Further research:
1. Much more emphasis on inter-organizational processes (by ‘indepth case
2. Incorporating level 2 of CIM: four knowledge cycles as specified
framework for future-innovation linkage
3. Testing to what extent conclusions for use of futures research
within a single organisation also hold for futures research within an
innovation system (‘open innovation’)