Integrated Policy Package Assessment (IPPA): A Problem-Oriented Research Approach for Sustainability Transformations

Abstract

In this paper, we present the Integrated Policy Package Assessment (IPPA) approach and relate IPPA to three substantial concepts of problem-oriented research concerned with societal transformations: technology assessment (TA), sustainability research (SR), and responsible research and innovation (RRI). The IPPA approach provides (political) decision-makers with transformation and orientation knowledge via a four-step process of (1) design, (2) analysis, (3) evaluation, and (4) discourse of a policy package assessment. It is illustrated with a case study of urban passenger transport. As an integrated approach, IPPA has substantial ties to TA, SR, and RRI. It connects with TA in fundamental ways, since it combines the field of TA with the field of regulatory assessment based on consequence analysis. Connectable to the field of SR, IPPA addresses deliberation processes and sustainable pathway identification based on multi-criteria assessment. In addition, akin to the area of RRI, IPPA shows cross-cutting axes with regards to social resonance assessment and stakeholder evaluation with a focus on multi-actor responsibilities. In this contribution, we link evidence-based impact assessment with transformation pathway mechanisms and corresponding policy packages, backed by stakeholder-based responsible innovation feedback loops. This enhances the ex-ante analysis of policy packages regarding their intended as well as unintended consequences.

Ways towards Transformation—Conceptual Approaches and Challenges

“…From the identification and conceptualization of R&I technological priorities, to its implementation, or by means of co-creation activities, such as citizen science or user-guided innovation, the involvement of citizens or end-users in the development of new knowledge or innovations is characterized by different levels of participation. In addition, to assure inclusion of societal actors, different approaches and methods have been applied and developed in deliberative or participatory processes, such as workshops, focus groups, public discussions, collaboration in fab-labs or real-world labs (see [91][92][93]97]-all this issue).…”

“…Scheer et al ([97], this issue) discuss the challenge and suggest an approach to integrated ways to grasp and condition complexity so that it improves the availability of orientation knowledge for policies. Approaches to complexity which promise to support policymaking have to "package" the design, analysis, evaluation and discourse of policy measures in order to provide for "consideration of real world-complexities, uncertainties, and ambiguities" ( [97] (p. 15), this issue).…”

“…Finally, working on integrated policy package assessment approaches (IPPA) to support transformation policies clearly has to address relevance considerations, at least with respect to decisions about the criteria and assessment methods to be used ( [97], this issue); To conclude, relevance considerations and decisions in research are an inevitable element of research for societal transformation. Carrying this out suitably is both challenging and an essential precondition to better understand and, in particular, to better deal with the four key challenges that TA, SR and RRI are commonly facing: normativity, policymaking, societal expectations, and complexity and uncertainty.…”

Addressing responsibility in innovation processes for sustainability: Lessons for responsible management of sustainable innovation form a systematic literature review

“…The present study does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the mechanisms that act beyond the business innovation process which could lead to changes in socio-technical systems through responsible management. However, it should be noted that there already is an existing literature that speaks in favor of the effectiveness of RRI tools to address this task (Schlaile et al, 2017 ; Werker, 2021 ; Scheer et al, 2022 ) even though the dynamic relationships are not well-analyzed yet. Second, it is recommended to focus on RRI as a design element for innovation.…”

Addressing Goal Conflicts: New Policy Mixes for Commercial Land Use Management

“…Research on policy combinations has been performed in various fields, such as development policy [38], innovation policy [42][43][44], and mobility policy [45][46][47]. It analyzes interactions, goal conflicts, temporal logics of (old and newly implemented) strategies, and measures and policy instruments within or between policy fields and between levels of governance.…”