Innovation system foresight and systemic innovation for the overseas countries and territories

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe through innovation system foresight and systemic innovation approach to address key systemic issues of European Union (EU) Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) concerning the sustainable development and economic resilience: the authors highlight the need for a systemic approach to innovation policy for the sustainable islands’ growth. Design/methodology/approach This research focuses on a multiple case study of selected OCTs, members of the Association of the OCTs. Specifically, this paper illustrates the foresight approach implemented in six OCTs in the context of the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project funded by the 10th European Development Fund. Findings The focus is on innovation system foresight and systemic innovation: the authors argue that key innovation elements of the individual OCTs can be used as crucial components of an emerging innovation system while this specific type of foresight can assist the governments of respective OCTs in the selection and design of specific instruments in relation to the formulation of their innovation strategies and policies. Originality/value This paper is based on work undertaken by the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project team during a three-year period dedicated to supporting the governments of OCTs both in defining and in implementing their innovation strategies. Its main contribution is to develop the concept of innovation system foresight and systemic innovation for the OCTs. The work presented here is considered to be of value by highlighting specific innovation elements for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in OCTs.

Implementing Systemic Innovation Strategies for a More Sustainable Future: The Case of Three Overseas Countries and Territories

“… Adapted from von Borrás and Edquist ( 2016 , 2019 ); Jezic von Gesseneck et al ( 2018 ) . ●●●Major relevance; ●●❍Moderate relevance; ●❍❍Minor relevance to the transformation of the local innovation system towards the desired direction .…”

“… Key steps of the proposed foresight methodology, which also includes a feedback loop to shape innovation policy mixes over time; adapted from Jezic von Gesseneck et al ( 2018 ). …”

“… Decision-making process with the participation of multiple stakeholder groups. Backcasting is crucial for inducing reflexive learning in the respective policy communities; adapted from Jezic von Gesseneck et al ( 2018 ). …”

“…By including a systemic and evolutionary understanding of innovation, this foresight approach appears well-suited to guide the transformation of innovation systems towards desirable directions (Andersen and Andersen, 2017 ). In a previous study (Jezic von Gesseneck et al, 2018 ), we used a combination of innovation system foresight and backcasting (Robinson, 1982 ; Dreborg, 1996 ) to assist OCT governments in developing innovation strategies and policies to address local and global challenges. Indeed, the current orientation to contemporary challenges, as expressed for example in the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015 ), is a prerequisite for more appropriate innovation policies (Schot and Steinmueller, 2018 ; Diercks et al, 2019 ).…”

“…In a recent publication, we have emphasised the importance of a systemic approach to innovation for the sustainable development of the OCTs (Jezic von Gesseneck et al, 2018 ). Specifically, innovation system foresight (Andersen and Andersen, 2014 ), in conjunction with backcasting (Robinson, 1982 ; Dreborg, 1996 ), has been proposed to assist the governments of selected OCTs (as well as the other OCTs) in defining their innovation strategies.…”