Title: Emergence of societal challenges-based innovation policies in market-based innovation systems: lessons from Estonia

Authors: Erkki Karo; Veiko Lember

Addresses: Ragnar Nurkse School of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 3, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia ' Ragnar Nurkse School of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 3, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia

Abstract: The societal challenges-based approach to science, technology and innovation (STI) policy is currently one of the key ways by which the EU seeks to break away from the linear and science-push driven policy thinking. This seems to raise complex challenges of policy legitimisation, rationalisation and institutionalisation especially in the countries that have tried to build market-based innovation systems. Based on the case study of Estonia, we show that in addition to the development of new policy mixes and coordination instruments, such policy shift may also require the re-thinking of core STI policy rationales and legitimisation practices, and these may have to be further supported by experimental policy approaches and institutional innovations for changing the habits and routines of key STI system actors.

Keywords: Estonia; institutional design; policy legitimisation; policy rationale; societal challenges; STI policy; innovation policies; market-based innovation; science technology innovation; experimental policy approaches; institutional innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFIP.2016.078366

International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy, 2016 Vol.11 No.1/2/3, pp.126 - 147

Received: 23 Jun 2015
Accepted: 31 Mar 2016
Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *

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