An Investigation into Risk Perception in the ICT Industry as a Core Component of Responsible Research and Innovation

Kate Chatfield,Andrea Porcari,Bernd Stahl,Elvio Mantovani,Elisabetta Borsella

doi:10.3390/su9081424

Abstract

This paper makes an original contribution to the responsible research and innovation (RRI) discourse, with an inquiry into the extent to which risk, risk assessment, or risk management, including ethical and social issues, is relevant to companies. As a core component of the higher or “meta-responsibility” of RRI, an investigation of practices and attitudes towards risks can provide us with a window into companies’ attitudes towards responsible innovation that is rooted in real-world experiences. Drawing upon data from 30 in-depth interviews and a large Delphi study, we reveal different underlying attitudes towards risk governance for individuals working in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. For some companies, there is already an obvious degree of alignment with RRI values. For others, framing of the RRI discourse in terms of ethical and societal risks may help to promote understanding and uptake. Results from the interviews suggest that lack of awareness of the full extent of ethical and societal risks associated with research and innovation in the ICT industry may act as a barrier to engagement with RRI, and educational activities may be needed to rectify this situation. Results from the Delphi survey suggest that when presented with simple information about potential ethical and societal risks, industry personnel can easily recognise the main risks and provide clear opinions about how they should be addressed. The relationship between risk governance and RRI warrants further investigation as it is an essential facet of RRI.

Highlights

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) yield numerous social and economic benefits, but they can raise ethical, societal and environmental concerns
We investigated the attitudes and opinions of individuals working in the ICT industry, describing their view of an essential component of research and innovation (RRI) through the lens of risk
We selected the ICT industry because these technologies raise a number of concerns and risks that are difficult to address with established governance mechanisms

Summary

Introduction

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) yield numerous social and economic benefits, but they can raise ethical, societal and environmental concerns. Companies that undertake research and innovation (R&I) in ICTs have an important responsibility in identifying, understanding and addressing potential benefits and hazards [1]. Despite the crucial role for companies in effecting socially acceptable uses of technology, attention is not routinely paid to the ethical and social implications of their R&I activities. A large body of research has investigated questions of business ethics for corporate activities, such as finance, professional integrity, workers’ rights, and so on. Our investigation is inspired by the discourse surrounding responsible research and innovation (RRI). To date, the promotion of RRI has focused predominantly on publicly funded research, omitting a substantial proportion of the company-based innovation activities, occurring at a more advanced technology readiness level in preparation for market entry [5].

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion