The Co-evolution of Innovation Theory, Innovation Practice,and Innovation Policy

In the course of the year 2002-2003 the viWTA started a project to justify the value of a parliamentary institute for TA on the basis of the theory of innovation and technology policy.

On the basis of a literature review we surveyed the existing ideas on innovation. The common aspect is the relation between the theory and the practice of innovation. The role of parliamentary TA is outlined, as are other activities linked to innovation and technology.

The second part examined the evolution of the relation between theory and practice of innovation in Flanders in the past 30 years. This leads to the role and value of a parliamentary institute for TA.

The report of this study was the basis for two documents for policy makers. The first was a memo on Innovation and Technology Assessment that was handed over in 2004 to the (then) new Flemish government. The second, "Three Challenges to Innovation Policy in Flanders ("Drie uitdagingen voor het innovatiebeleid in Vlaanderen") was presented in a Parliamentary Committee. Unfortunately, both these documents are not available in English