skikt - 8 april 20021 helge godø skikt researchers conference 8th april 2002 doing innovative...

SKIKT - 8 April 2002 1

Helge Godø

SKIKT Researchers Conference 8th April 2002

Doing innovative ICT-research: methodological challenges in

leveraging the best of three worlds

Doing innovative ICT-research: methodological challenges in

leveraging the best of three worlds

Helge GodøSKIKT research conference, 8 April 2002


Introduction: Creating useful knowledge and innovations

• The ICT-sector is R&D-intensive, very large and extensive in terms of knowledge production.

• If successful, ICT-R&D has a significant impact on our future.

• Research related to social and cultural aspects of ICT must become futures-oriented, i.e. participate in Mode 3.

• Mode 3 is at present not so strong in ICT – however – it is consolidating, possibly reemerging.

• Prior to the 1990s, Mode 3 was successful strong “innovation regimes” guided and designed the future of ICT

• Mode 3 may require adjustments of research methodologies.

• Methodology = theories of, and reflections on, knowledge procedures and rationales for creating knowledge how and why explanations and theories are constructed.

• Methodology should reflect purpose of creating knowledge and innovations.


Structural changes in the ICT-sector

Hegemony of liberalistic ideologies:

- Thatcher& Reagan

- Berlin-wall falls

1980s 1990s

•Deregulation

•Liberalization

•Market-competition

•”Innovation-regimes” of ICT:- co-operation- future-oriented

ICT-successes:•Internet•GSM•Digitization•Lower costs


Reorganizing ICT-related R&D

• Business units established - became ”profit centers” - BPR - Business Process Reengineering - one of many mantras

• R&D activities subject to “market-oriented governance models”

• Business logic: cost reductions and profit maximization = avoid R&D-cost, only R&D for ”own” benefit (improve present portfolio) – R&D became conservative

• Long-term, explorative R&D reduced – migration of R&D to universities.

• International R&D collaboration became difficult - innovation regimes deteriorated, or became more proprietary


Search for new ways of understanding innovations and knowledge production

• Growing dissatisfaction with the classic linear innovation (and knowledge) model: Academic research did not contribute to the Wealth of Nations - a crisis of legitimacy was emerging.

• A search for alternative models: research on research, STS, debates on knowledge production, etc., blossomed.

• Kline and Rosenberg’s ‘chain-linked’ innovation model (1986) initially influential among policy&decision makers.

• 1994: A book by Michael Gibbons et al. Knowledge production in society consists of two distinct modes: Mode 1 and Mode 2. The book created debates and controversy. (More explanation in the paper, or: Read the book!!)

1980s


Emergence of two distinct knowledge production systems (highly stylized as):

Mode 1• Academic context• Disciplinary boundaries• Homogeneity in perceptions• Quality control and

relevance defined by peers, i.e. within the discipline

• Hierarchical-static structure and organization

• Internal accountability• Academic freedom and

'quest for knowledge'

Mode 2• Context of application• Multi-disciplinary• Heterogeneity in perceptions• External principals decide on

quality and relevance• Ad-hoc organizations and

flat structures• External accountability• Users and interests define

the agendas



Rethinking Science (2001) – Agora

• A new book, Rethinking Science,” by ”team Gibbons” (Helga Nowotny et al.) - introduced the idea of agora.

• Agora defined as: ”..the new public space where science and society, market and politics, co-mingle…”(p. 203)

• Agora = how to deal with uncertainty, i.e. the future.

• Generally abstract, advocating a type of ”Öffentlichkeit”, should be self-organizing and encompass all interests.

• Many moral prescriptions given, however, diffuse and vague.


The usefulness of research is in futures• Mode 1 and Mode 2 is not comprehensive, too simplistic, but agora

is too vague – no satisfactory methodology.• Agora does not relate itself to research efforts dealing with the future,

such as:– “strategic research’ - aimed at bridging the gap between ‘basic’ research

and ‘applied’ research– Research foresight exercises (planning research agendas of the future)– Constructive technology assessment (NL) – “Triple Helix”-model of university-industry-government relations

• What is lacking: A clear idea of Mode 3? • If Mode 3, then how should Mode 1 and Mode 2 relate to this?• How does the best of three worlds look?


What is the best of the three worlds?

Mode 1: An explanation-oriented world– Strength: Building solid

knowledge – explaining ”why” – ex-post perspectives

– Based on academic culture, specialized in disciplines

– Prediction is an ambition – this is difficult



• Mode 2: A solutions-oriented world– Strength: Making viable

solutions, ”how-and-now”-oriented, responsive to external demands (markets)

– Strongholds: R&D-labs of ICT-industry

– Naïve ideals of creating “technological fixes”



Mode 3: A futures-oriented word • Strength: Creating radical system innovations demanding a

long-term perspective – backbone in “innovation regime”• Strongholds: Traditionally, in technical standards setting bodies

- affiliated with R&D-community of ICT – deteriorated during the 1990s because of structural changes in the ICT-sector

• Key: “anticipatory standardization” – defining and creating technologies and systems of the future – 10, 15, sometimes 20 years ahead

• Indications that the “innovation regimes” will re-emerge, become more powerful in the future, with broader participation


Mode 3: A futures-oriented word

• Mode 3 is not utopian – it is almost contemporary. Successes: GSM, ISDN – from USA: Internet. Failures: Many.

• At present (2002) some initiatives have Mode 3 elements:– eEurope-plan (short-term) – EU’s

Framework Programmes– ETSI’s ”3GPP” related to UMTS– The ”Open Source”-movement (e.g.:

Linux)• Mode 3 should exist for the benefit of

society – not just the industry


Mode 3: A futures-

oriented word

• Research on social and cultural aspects of ICT (now: mostly Mode 1) – should reorient itself to Mode 3 – participation is more efficient than detached criticism – its more gratifying too!

• Mode 3 will welcome solid knowledge on social and cultural aspects of ICT – a spirit of open-mindedness prevails

• Mode 3 will need solid knowledge on:– Scenarios, policy implications and socio-economic impacts– Cultural factors and behavioral patterns – increased

awareness of gender aspects and importance of aesthetics and games

– Human factors and interface in technological design criteria and assumptions

skikt - 8 april 20021 helge godø skikt researchers conference 8th april 2002 doing innovative...

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