scholarly journals Considering the dilemma of societal alignment: A response

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Ribeiro ◽  
Philip Shapira ◽  
Paul Benneworth ◽  
Lars Bengtsson ◽  
Susanne Bührer ◽  
...  

The publication of our article “Introducing the dilemma of societal alignment for inclusive and responsible research and innovation” (Ribeiro et al., 2018) was accompanied by three commentaries (Guston, 2018; Nordmann, 2018; and Kuzma and Roberts, 2018). In the original article, we invoked Collingridge’s dilemma of the social control of technology to introduce a complementary dilemma of “societal alignment” in the governance of science, technology and innovation. Thoughtful and challenging critiques were presented in the three commentaries. In this paper, as completed in June 2019, we respond to those critiques and, in so doing, seek to further clarify and extend our arguments.

Author(s):  
Miltos Ladikas ◽  
Julia Hahn ◽  
Leonhard Hennen ◽  
Constanze Scherz

We examine the concept of responsible research and innovation (RRI) in Germany in the context of national science, technology and innovation (STI) as well as its legal and normative framework in relation to ethics and societal engagement and compare the results to similar international research. Our analysis shows that responsibility plays a central role in research practice guided by research ethics standards and societal grand challenges. Consequently, there is a significant increase in demands for inclusion and engagement of a wider stakeholder spectrum in STI. Compared to other countries, the concept of RRI in Germany is increasingly superseded by that of sustainability. We argue that responsibility and sustainability are conceptually close and highly interchangeable in the German national debate. We conclude with basic recommendations for greater clarity in research on responsibility and sustainability and the aims of ethics and societal engagement.


2021 ◽  
pp. 466-488
Author(s):  
Erika Kraemer-Mbula ◽  
Rasigan Maharajh

This chapter explores the main achievements and remaining challenges in the governance of the South African science, technology, and innovation (STI) system. While reflecting on the inherited features from the apartheid period, it focuses on the period between the two White Papers in 1996 and 2019. The chapter discusses the main shifts in policy emphasis (intents) of these two policy/institutional developments and connects them to the STI system performance and its measurement. It shows that the drastic shift in policy orientation towards addressing social imperatives and the quantitative improvements in the STI outputs since 1994, have not materialized in a radical transformation of the economy or the social relations inherited from apartheid. The chapter argues that the assessment of the STI system needs to be expanded through an evolutionary lens in order to activate the needed systemic transformations.


Author(s):  
Tatiana Giraldo Pardo

RESUMEN:Este trabajo pretende identificar a la luz de los indicadores de ciencia y tecnología, cuáles factores determinan la sustentabilidad de las políticas de inversión en Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación dentro de los países iberoamericanos. Para ello se adoptan las cifras de los indicadores de la Ricyt (Red Iberoamericana de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación), y con base en los resultados, se construyen dos modelos de sustentabilidad, fundamentados en dos ecuaciones paralelas. El primer modelo, está en función de la sostenibilidad y la pertinencia de las actividades de Ciencia y Tecnología. El segundo modelo, hace depender la sustentabilidad de la responsabilidad social y la iniciativa a la estructura. Se espera que los resultados arrojados por este doble modelo, sean más robustos que aquellos formulados a partir de los resultados de cada uno de los métodos por separado.ABSTRACTThis study aims at identifying the indicators in the fields of science and technology, which factors determine the sustainability of investment policies on science, research and innovation, among Iberoamerican countries. For this, Ricyt indicators have been adopted (Iberoamerican Network of Science, Technology and Innovation), and based on results, two sustainability models are designed focused on two parallel equations. The first model supports sustainability and appropriateness of scientific and technological activities. The second model, however, describes the dependence on sustainability based on social responsibility and structure initiative. It is really expected that the results shown by these two models be more robust than those resulting from each of these models in isolation.RESUMÉÉCe document vise à identifier, grâce à certains indicateurs scientifiques et technologiques, les facteurs déterminant la viabilité des politiques d’investissement en Science, Technologie et Innovation dans les pays d’Amérique latine. Pour ce faire, les chiffres et indicateurs de la Ricyt (Réseau ibéro-américain de la science, la technologie et l’innovation) sont pris en compte, et selon les résultats obtenus, deux modèles de développement durable sont construits, basés sur deux équations parallèles. Le premier modèle repose sur la viabilité et la pertinence des activités scientifiques et technologiques. Le second modèle fait dépendre la structure de la durabilité à la responsabilité sociale des entreprises et à l’initiative. Les résultats attendus de ce double modèle devraient être plus robustes que ceux réaliser séparément à partir des résultats de chacune des méthodes.RESUMOEste trabalho pretende identificar à luz dos indicadores de ciência e tecnologia, quais factores determinam a sustentabilidade das políticas de investimento em Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação nos países iberoamericanos. Para isto adotaram-se os valores dos indicadores da Ricyt (Rede Iberoamericana de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação), e com base nos resultados, construem-se dois modelos de sustentabilidade, fundamentados em duas equaciones paralelas. O primeiro modelo está em função da sustentabilidade e a relevância das actividades de Ciência e Tecnologia. O segundo modelo, faz depender a sustentabilidade da responsabilidade social e a iniciativa da estrutura. Espera-se que os resultados obtidos por este duplo modelo sejam mais robustos do que aqueles formulados a partir dos resultados de cada um dos métodos de forma separada.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Ordóñez-Matamoros ◽  
Isabel Bortagaray ◽  
Jaime Humberto Sierra-González ◽  
Javier García-Estévez ◽  
Luis Antonio Orozco

Author(s):  
Juliana Krieger de Oliveira ◽  
Antônio Martins de Oliveira Júnior ◽  
Beatriz Augusta Ferreira Santos

Innovation has been pointed out as one of the main tools for the countries' economic development facing globalization. For economic growth to happen in an egalitarian way, it is necessary to strengthen, expand, consolidate and integrate a country's research and innovation capacities, that is, strengthening its National Science, Technology and Innovation System. In this system, it is primordial that t there is a close relationship between research institutes, ST & I developers, and companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), considered to be key players in the socio-economic development of countries. Brazil already presents initiatives that seek to strengthen relations and encourage the development of technology among these actors. This article aims to discuss the relationships between the CT & I sector and its relations with SMEs, especially in Brazil, so that together they allow the development of the economy. For this, a brief literature review was carried out, which was structured in: Relation between ST&I and the national development, where will be treated some countries experience and where brazilian hystorical process will be shown; The importance of SMEs for a country economic growth, where the relations between ST&I and SME will be treated and also its indicators. Despite the innovation power for the development of the countries economies is in constant discussion, it is still a need for discussion between companies and SMEs as a fundamental relation for the growth of companies and consequently for the socio-economic growth, since as SMEs are today driving forces for development. For the central dialogue current in Brazil, the proceedings of these countries between ST & I and companies are required.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashik Paul

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiled a new Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy on the occasion of the centenary year of Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2013 in Kolkata. One of the key goals of the STI policy is to develop science, technology and innovation with focus on faster, sustainable and inclusive development for the people. The policy speaks of promoting scientific temper amongst all sections of the society, making careers in science, research and innovation an attractive career option particularly for bright young minds, establishing world class infrastructure for R&D and increasing India’s contribution to global scientific publications from 3.5% to 7% creating an environment for enhanced private sector participation in R&D to mention a few. In principle, the policy promises significant boost to a largely demoralized science and technology community in the country. However, the methodology to achieve such goals and the possible outcome, if any, on a developing nation like India needs to be studied in greater details. Developing scientific temper among the vast majority of our population is a desirable but difficult target, keeping in view the impact of religion and caste-based policies of some state governments as well as national political forums. The STI-2013 objective of empowering women through appropriate STI inputs comes at a time when proper representations of women in different policy making positions are inadequate. National statistics of women in key government institutions of science and technology present glaring disparity in representation even after more than five decades of independence. This may be expected in a society caught between the idealisms of ‘equal entitlement’ and the glitz and glamour associated with the so-called ‘shining India’ concept. It should be kept in mind that there are not enough calories per head for a vast majority of Indians with 43% of Indian women being anaemic and 67% starved of calories.


Author(s):  
Oluwaseun J. Oguntuase ◽  
Oluwatosin B. Adu ◽  
Oluwafemi S. Obayori

Introduction: Escalating environmental challenges have necessitated the adoption of bio-based products. The social interface between these products with low environmental impacts and the society is a dynamic site where different stakeholders, forms of knowledge, interests and powers interplay. Scientists must navigate these factors for bio-based products to become acceptable in the society. Aims: This review explores the suitability of responsible research and innovation (RRI) as an inclusive approach to research and innovation to support the adoption and diffusion of bio-based products in the society. Method: The study was essentially based on a desk review of relevant academic papers on bio-based products, bio-based economy, bioeconomy and, responsible research and innovation (RRI) from year 2012 - 2018, with reference to other publicly accessible documents and publications. Results: The review shows that despite their potentials for contributing to greener environment and sustainability, bio-based products remain controversial. Results also show that embedding RRI dimensions in development of bio-based products “from lab to market” will help build trust among stakeholders in the relevant value chain, which is a pre-requisite for the diffusion of these products in the society. Conclusion: The main conclusion of this paper is that identifying and engaging stakeholders, the publics and their concerns when developing bio-based products will ensure the products are relatively uncontested and will diffuse better throughout the society


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