The promises and premises of mission-oriented innovation policy—A reflection and ways forward

Abstract

Missions may be regarded as a narrative for challenge-oriented policies, as a rationale for directional policies, and as an instrument for coordinating distributed innovation efforts. While the attention for mission-oriented innovation policy is rising, there are still many questions regarding both the governance and the conduct of missions as well as the (adverse) effects they might have on innovation and societal challenges. This research perspective reflects on what missions are, what they can do and potentially engender, and how they can be studied empirically. Rather than a static, predetermined, and closed-off instrument, we contend that missions are best understood as continuously interacting with the structures and interests of governments, markets, and society, aligning (1) problem-based governance targeting societal challenges and (2) innovation governance targeting novelty creation and deployment. This characterisation of missions, as embedded and evolving, advances empirical questions that could guide research into unexplored directions.

Small wins for grand challenges. A bottom-up governance approach to regional innovation policy

“…Suggesting a small wins strategy as a basis for regional innovation policy begs the question how such an approach matches with mission-oriented innovation policies currently implemented at national or supranational levels (Janssen et al 2021;Larrue 2021). While a small wins approach starts from the bottom-up initiatives that are ongoing, missionoriented innovation policy is generally initiated as a 'top-down' directional strategy or umbrella for various policy instruments targeted at specific goals.…”

Innovationspolitik in der neuen Legislaturperiode: eine neue strategische Ausrichtung?

“…Innovationspolitik stellt mit der Missionsorientierung die investierende Funktion des Staates in den Mittelpunkt, um einerseits Entwicklungen zu beschleunigen, andererseits aber auch, um als Vorbild zu dienen. Empirisch robuste Hinweise über die Vorteilhaftigkeit lassen sich bisher nur in einzelnen Fallstudien fi nden (Janssen et al, 2021). Direktionalität und neue Missionsorientierung sind Konzepte aus der Forschung und Politikberatung, die mit Transformationen in unterschiedlichen gesellschaftlichen Bereichen umgehen wollen.…”

Green Public Procurement in Mission-Orientated Innovation Systems: Leveraging Voluntary Standards to Improve Sustainability Performance of Municipalities

“…As a contemporary framing of science, technology, and innovation policy, mission-oriented innovation policies (MIPs) such as these call for transformational change to sociotechnical systems [4]. Missions are challenge-based, urgent, and strategic goals [5]; rather than having a static focus on technological innovation, missions are emergent and evolutionary in nature [6], supporting experimentation and promoting stakeholder alignment and cooperation toward common goals. The challenges they tackle are complex, consisting of multiple stakeholders and requiring insights from many perspectives [7].…”