A formative approach to the evaluation of Transformative Innovation Policies

Abstract

Transformative Innovation Policies (TIPs) assert that addressing the key challenges currently facing our societies requires profound changes in current socio-technical systems. To leverage such ‘socio-technical transitions’ calls for a different, broad mix of research and innovation policies, with particular attention being paid to policy experiments. As TIPs diffuse and gain legitimacy they pose a substantial evaluation challenge: how can we evaluate these policy experiments with a narrow geographical and temporal scope, when the final objective is ambitiously systemic? How can we know whether a specific set of policy experiments is contributing to systemic transformation? Drawing on TIPs principles as developed by and applied in the activities of the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium and on the concept of transformative outcomes, this article develops an approach to the evaluation of TIPs that is operational and adaptable to different contexts.

The Role of Transformative Innovation for SDGs Localisation. Insights from the South-African “Living Catchments Project”

“…To transform our world, we need a new type of innovation policy. One that embraces uncertainty and complexity by promoting experimentation to inform and facilitate learning processes and changes in people, organisations and institutions (Molas-Gallart et al, 2021). The TIP framework is based on a Multi-Level Perspective on socio-technical transitions as defined by Rip and Kemp (1998) and Geels and Schot (2007).…”

“…It is for this reason that learning and reflexivity have such an important role to play. Actors need to use their agency, question the rules they use in their daily practices, unmake them, and become active rule-makers (Molas-Gallart et al, 2021).…”

“…As part of TIPC, South Africa has set a portfolio of experiments to trigger innovation for transformative change. The LC project was selected as the first project to work directly with TIPC researchers to enhance the project's design and implementation based on a formative evaluation guided by the TIP principles (Molas-Gallart et al, 2021).…”

From Modeling the Interactions among Institutions to Modeling the Evolution of an Ecosystem: A Reflection on the Triple Helix Model and Beyond

“…Transformative innovation is based on the notion that solving the main challenges facing society today requires profound changes to the current socio-technical systems (Schot and Steinmueller, 2018). Such socio-technical transformations confront social and ecological challenges, which involve various innovators (Molas-Gallart et al, 2021). In transformative innovation, there is no single best pathway to achieve sustainability, equity, or any other socially desirable goal (Schot and Steinmueller, 2018).…”

“…Transformative innovation policy not only stimulates specific technological choices, but also examines the social and environmental drivers and consequences of each choice. Such innovation policy can ultimately foster desired innovation directions while excluding unwanted ones to achieve desired social and environmental goals (Molas-Gallart et al, 2021;Švarc and Dabić, 2021). This is an iterative process without predictable directions and consequences, and such fundamental changes in socio-economic goals require changes in socio-technical regimes embedded in the external institutions.…”