www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Ken Guy Wise Guys Ltd. Innovation Policy Learning Six Countries Programme Stockholm 23-24 May, 2006

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Road Map

Focus Experiments in Policy Learning Barriers to Learning Ways Forward

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Focus

What? Policy learning

When? Last 25 years or so

Where? Mainly Europe

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Why?

Theoretical acknowledgement that successful innovation systems are dependent on stakeholder interaction, communication (transmission and absorption) and response strategies

General belief that knowledge and understanding of these systems and the ways in which policies affect them leads, inexorably, to better policy formulation and implementation

Recognition that theory alone cannot identify best practices and suggest optimal solutions

Thus a need for experiments in policy learning

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Who?

Politicians

Policy Implementers

Policy Formulators

Policy Advisers

Stakeholders

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Current Context

Future Visions

Past Actions

Parallel Activities

Policy Practice

How?Policy Inputs

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Past Actions Statistical trends Programme evaluations Portfolio evaluations Policy evaluations Impact assessments Additionality

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Future Visions Statistical projections Ex ante evaluations Foresight exercises Scenario building Road mapping Technology assessments What if exercises (SW)OT analyses

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Current Context SW(OT) analyses Political analyses Innovation policy reviews Stakeholder consultations Inter-ministerial communication Policy coherence and coordination

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Parallel Activities Policy intelligence Naïve benchmarking Intelligent benchmarking Policy networks Mutual learning Peer reviews Policy coherence and coordination

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Experiments in Policy Learning

Policy Practice Learning by doing Learning by writing Learning by fighting Learning via training Learning via recruitment Learning via mobility

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Barriers to Learning

Past Activities Statistical data better… But still room for improvement Evaluation systems more widespread…. But still underdeveloped Danger of mechanistic evaluations Weak transmission of results Programme rather than policy focus Limited evaluation capability

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Barriers to Learning

Future Visions Inherent uncertainty Room for methodological improvement and

experimentation Non-inclusive involvement of stakeholders Lack of interest Danger of hijack by lobby groups

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Barriers to Learning

Current Context Tunnel vision Institutional isolationism Weak communication mechanisms Limited stakeholder involvement Governance failure

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Barriers to Learning

Parallel Contexts Lack of relevant data Lack of interest Inappropriate representation Weak internal transmission and learning mechanisms Absence of knowledge management strategies

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Barriers to Learning

Policy Practice Lack of experimentation Lack of ‘objectification’ Lack of adequate training and career development Lack of internal communication between policy

formulators and policy implementers Lack of adequate knowledge management strategies

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Ways Forward

More systematic use of key strategic intelligence components (evaluation, foresight, benchmarking etc.)

Continued experimentation, methodological development and focus on key issues

Better internal links between formulators and implementers and improved knowledge management and career development strategies

Better external links between relevant indigenous and exogenous ministries

Better external links between the political, policy and stakeholder communities

www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

Ways Forward

Greater emphasis on educational strategies to nurture both specialists in innovation policy and generalists capable of appreciating the importance of science, technology and innovation in the development of knowledge economies and societies