Prof Fred Steward (PSI) – 21st of October 2011
Title:
Learning to love the network model of innovation
Abstract:
There is a reluctance among some innovation researchers to fully let go
of the linear model of innovation (Balconi, Brusoni & Orsenigo, ‘In
defence of the linear model: an essay’, Research Policy 39 (2010) 1-13).
The argument is that, whatever its accepted limitations, it is a conceptual
model that addresses the need to ‘creatively and intelligently simplify
reality’. Abandoning it runs the risk of its replacement by an
‘undisciplined’ or ‘extreme’ alternative model ‘where everything depends
on everything else’. The defence of the linear model also includes a
denial that the appeal of its sheer simplicity for decision makers has any
‘definite policy implication’.
In this seminar it is argued that the linear model needs to be decisively
discarded in favour of a network model of innovation. This is a
revolutionary paradigm change not a partial revision of the earlier picture.
The anxiety and fear of a descent into chaos and complexity are
misplaced. Relational sociology has theoretical and empirical resources
which offer a better simplification of the reality of innovation as an
interactive network process instead of a sequential linear path. The
persistence of the linear model continues to have detrimental
consequences for innovation policy, particularly its ability to address
societal challenges such as sustainability and climate change, and to
promote the transformative innovation needed for sociotechnical
transitions.
A recent study suggested that scholars who identify themselves with
‘innovation studies’ are dominated by a background in economics with
only minor representation of sociology or science and technology studies.
(Fagerberg & Verspagen). Innovation Studies – the emerging structure
of a scientific field. Research Policy 38 (2009) 218-233). In order to learn
to love the network model we need an innovation research community
which is plural and diverse and which embraces relational sociology as
well as evolutionary economics.
Bio:
Fred Steward is Professor of Innovation & Sustainability at the Policy
Studies Institute, University of Westminster, London. Prior to this he led
innovation research at the business schools of Brunel University and
Aston University. Seconded to NESTA, the UK innovation agency in
2008, he has advised government departments in the UK, Europe and
China on innovation and sustainability. He is joint author of Managing
and Shaping Innovation (Oxford University Press, 2009) .
His primary research interest is in ‘transformative innovation’ – pervasive
radical system wide social & technological change. His approach to this
combines innovation network concepts and sociotechnical transition
theory. The role of innovation in addressing the global challenge of
climate change and environmental sustainability is his research focus
along with its implications for policy.
Fred directed the ESRC Sustainable Technologies programme 20042006 and served on the Scientific Committee of the IHDP Industrial
Transformation programme 2006-2011. He is Visiting Professor at
Imperial College, London and a member of the Royal Society committee
on Global Environmental Change. He is President of the European
Association for the Study of Science & Technology, EASST.