Creating sustainable impact from Foresight on STI Policy

foresight ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 457-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Meissner ◽  
Pavel Rudnik
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Technology Investment ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Support Programmes ◽  
Science Technology And Innovation

Purpose Foresight is frequently used to establish science and technology investment priorities and develop corresponding technology and innovation support programmes. In the light of technology and innovation policy, many individual Foresight studies are undertaken which are separate and little linked with the broader policy scope and ambition. This paper aims to look at an approach towards a consistent Foresight system which is linked closely to science, technology and innovation policy. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides an in-depth case study of the Russian Foresight system. The case study is based on desk research and extensive experience of the authors with the system. Findings Russia has developed a systematic approach towards organising Foresight which involves and serves multiple stakeholders, including government, ministries, federal and regional agencies, higher education institutions, public research institutes, state-owned companies and private businesses and a large range of associations. Under the auspicious of a dedicated commission, targeted Foresight is undertaken with clearly defined scope for each. The paper finds that the Russian system is unique in its organisational structure and in the integration of Foresight with science, technology and innovation policy measures. Originality/value The paper describes all facets of the Russian Foresight system which has not been done before. It also outlines the practical steps to further develop and leverage the system.

Innovation models and interdisciplinarity in science, technology and innovation policy in Costa Rica

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Diego Soto Kiewit ◽  
Bianca Vienni Baptista
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Innovation Processes ◽  
Science Technology And Innovation

Purpose This paper aims to analyse innovation models and interdisciplinarity in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy in Costa Rica between 2015 and 2021. The core focus is to evaluate the public policy in light of the groundwork that sustains the designed and proposed actions. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied a qualitative approach to build a set of dimensions and conducted content-analysis of selected documents. The analysis encompasses all current STI public policy documents in Costa Rica, including the planning instruments of the Central Government and the National Policy on STI. Findings The main findings show that STI policy in Costa Rica is based on different innovation models, but the projects and instruments themselves show the predominance of the reductionist model. Innovation receives a residual role. In turn, interdisciplinarity is based on the concept of convergence, which limits disciplinary collaboration to the natural, physical and engineering sciences, minimising contributions from other fields of knowledge to an instrumental role in innovation processes. Practical implications The authors conclude that the interlinkage between open innovation models, the participation of diverse societal actors and the inclusion of an interdisciplinary perspective leads to inclusive and more democratic public policy, allowing more sectors and organisations to benefit from innovation processes. This would imply a greater reach and impact of the policy, conditions that translate into innovation achievements and a better return on public investment. Originality/value This paper contributes to current discussions on STI policy by studying the implications of the link among policies, innovation models and interdisciplinarity.

The production and use of indicators in science, technology and innovation policy-making in Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Edgar Manyuchi ◽  
John Ouma Mugabe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Institutional Arrangement ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Innovation Surveys ◽  
Science Technology And Innovation

PurposeA growing number of African countries are starting to produce science, technology and innovation (STI) indicators. The purpose of this paper is to provide some lessons learnt in the production and use of STI indicators in Malawi and South Africa. It is compares the two countries’ efforts to conduct Research and Development (R&D) surveys and examines whether and how STI indicators are used in policymaking processes.Design/methodology/approachThe study approach is qualitative. The research methodology encompasses a thorough review of both policy and academic literature as well as some interviews.FindingsThe study demonstrates that South Africa has a relatively developed institutional arrangement for undertaking R&D and innovation surveys and developing related STI indicators. There is evidence that efforts are being made to use STI indicators to inform policymaking in the country. On the other hand, Malawi conducted its first R&D survey under the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators Initiative (ASTII) and has not established an institutional mechanism dedicated to producing STI indicators. There is no evidence that indicators are used in, or to inform, policymaking in the country.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of significant differences in STI policymaking histories, capacities and cultures of the two countries, it is not really useful to compare the STI production and use. Rather it is important to draw lessons from the efforts of the two countries.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that the production of STI indicators should be embedded in policy processes. To be useful and effective, STI indicators production needs to be explicitly linked to policy formulation, evaluation and monitoring activities without necessarily undermining the independence of producing STI indicators.Social implicationsCreating stand-alone programmes or agencies for R&D and innovation surveys without clear articulation with policymaking needs erodes opportunities of having evidence-based STI policy regimes.Originality/valueAlthough in 2005 only South Africa and Tunisia had national programmes dedicated to the generation of R&D statistics, by the end of 2010 at least 19 African countries had experimented with conducting R&D surveys under the auspices of the ASTII of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. These countries accumulated different experiences and consequently build different kinds of institutional capacities. Through the Malawi and South Africa case studies, some important lessons for STI indicators production and use and STI policymaking can be drawn for developing countries in general and African countries in particular.

Towards the institutionalisation of parliamentary technology assessment: the case for Ireland

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-334
Author(s):  
Csaba Csaki ◽  
Ciara Fitzgerald ◽  
Paidi O’Raghallaigh ◽  
Frederic Adam
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Citizen Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology And Innovation ◽  
Technology Governance ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Science Technology And Innovation

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the case study of Ireland with regards to the implementation of a formal parliamentary technology assessment (PTA) capability. With emphasis on innovation and knowledge-based economies, society faces a proliferation of technological challenges with far-reaching unpredictable impacts. Elected representatives need unbiased scientific knowledge to underpin evidence-based policy-oriented decision-making. PTA is directed at policy-oriented decision-making processes within the parliament. It identifies the role played by existing agencies and the gaps that remain to be filled in the current landscape. It explores the feasibility of potential future institutional arrangements in a country without a recognised formal PTA agency. Design/methodology/approach – An embedded case study approach was utilised based on three main sources of evidence: relevant published documents pertaining to science and technology governance; interviews with key decision-makers; and illustrative case of “hydraulic fracturing” demonstrating key issues stemming from the lack of a formal PTA structure. Findings – The case revealed the interplay between key actors in the area of science, technology and innovation in Ireland. It demonstrated the need for improved citizen engagement. The analysis revealed that formal technology assessment channels should be established to provide a voice for civil society to engage in policy-making. Given the requirements and constraints, a feasible way to implement PTA seems to be the “parliamentary office” model which would seem to be a good fit in the context of Ireland’s current situation. Originality/value – The paper presents how PTA may be realised in a country without a formal PTA agency using a parliamentary office model to provide a channel for citizen engagement in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy-making.

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