A system-evolutionary approach for innovation policy

Ruud Smits, Stefan Kuhlmann, Morris Teubal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

A leading question addressed in this book is how to improve public policy, using insights from innovation studies and theory as wdl as from innovation practice and innovation policy. Innovation in this book is seen as a dynamic interactive process taking place in heterogeneous, more or less interconnected arenas with many heterogeneous actors, cutting across various levels of societal organisation. To explore this complex dynamic we adopt the innovation systems (IS) approach as a starting heuristic and assume - in line with the leitmotif of this book - that practice, policy and theory develop by mutual interactions. Three major conclusions from the foregoing chapters are central to the discussion in this chapter: • Although innovation studies made advances over the last two decades, the prevailing IS approach has some major flaws. Ihe concept is still disposing a too static character: there is a lack of adequate bridges between the system level and individual actors. Also the implications for advancing theory and for policy designs are still limited. Until now scholars in innovation studies did not pay sufficient attention to innovation policy as an object of research. Phrased differently, policy is considered as a trivial application of ‘other’ knowledge but not a field of knowledge in itself (Teubal 2002). This explains why researchers tend to not fully investigate the implications of the results of their work for policy. Partly as a consequence of this lack of theoretical interest (and partly as a result of inertia in policy making), actual policy making often follows the old linear mode or, while claiming to be designed from a systems perspective, applies a ‘onesize- fits-all’ approach (e.g. the fashionable ‘network-building’ funding policies launched irrespective of knowledge fields, technology or market characteristics etc.; see Boekholt in this book).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Theory and Practice of Innovation Policy
Subtitle of host publicationAn International Research Handbook
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Pages417-448
Number of pages32
ISBN (Electronic)9781849804424
ISBN (Print)9781845428488
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2010

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Philip Lawn 2007.

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