Alternative Theories of Innovation? The Contribution of STS

• In Event: Innovation Under Fire: Shifting Imaginaries of Science, Technology and Society Governance – II

Abstract

Although a focus on innovation is not new, the way it currently brings together political discourse and the initiatives of many actors is novel. The European Commission is an emblematic example of such policy discourse. Since 2010, innovation has been seen as 'the' solution to major societal challenges (climate change, depletion of fossil fuel resources, aging societies, etc.) and it is expected to boost competitiveness, maintain employment and protect our social models. Meanwhile, many actors engage with this notion, WHICH TRANSLATES in an unprecedented lexical enrichment. Innovation is responsible, social, distributed; it is also referred to as "grassroots innovation", "Jugaad innovation", "Reverse innovation", etc.

Because of this conjunction between a political momentum and the proliferation of words and practices, we are in an interesting period for innovation studies. It has been suggested that the re-invention of innovation is occurring in various ways (Joly, Rip, Callon 2010), that we need to pay attention to the directionality of innovation (New Manifesto, 2010), and rethink or transform innovation policy (Edler, Nowotny 2015, Schot 2014).

This paper will propose a systematic analysis of these changes. I will use a Strategic Action Field approach (Fligstein and McAdam 2012) to analyse the coevolution of theories, academic groups, and institutions in charge of innovation policies. The analysis will be mainly based on scientometric studies and on the analysis of policy documents. I will focus on the changing interactions between STS and Innovation Studies.

Author

• Pierre-Benoit Joly, Lisis