Abstract
Responsible Innovation is an emerging concept concerning the governance of socio-ethical aspects of research and innovation practices. Von Schomberg for instance defines responsible innovation as a ‘transparent, interactive process by which societal actors and innovators become mutually responsive to each other with a view to the (ethical) acceptability, sustainability and societal desirability of the innovation process and its marketable products (in order to allow a proper embedding of scientific and technological advances in our society)’ (Von Schomberg, 2013, p. 19). It originally emerged in the context of research policies as a result of societal concerns regarding publicly funded research in controversial technologies (cf. Stilgoe et al., 2013). Emerging technologies such as nanotechnologies, big data, alternative energy production and genomics have a history of dispute and societal debate about their ethical desirability, and raises the question whether public funding in research in the field of these controversial technological is political legitimate or not (Collingridge, 1980; Groves, 2006).
Highlights
Introduction to responsible innovationWageningen Academic PublishersResponsible Innovation is an emerging concept concerning the governance of socio-ethical aspects of research and innovation practices
Because of these positive and negative possible impacts of new discoveries, policy makers look for ways to influence and govern publicly funded research and innovation in order to achieve innovation outcomes which are sustainable, societal desirable and ethical acceptable (Von Schomberg, 2013); governance of research and innovation can prevent negative outcomes of research and innovation from being implemented in society, and can further positive outcomes through incentive mechanisms
Apart from uncertainties resulting from the technology development itself, the ways in which the innovator has to communicate to mainstream markets and wider stakeholders is significantly different. This notion is further developed in management studies literature through various streams of research, such as stakeholder engagement, constructive technology assessment (CTA), CSR and organisational legitimacy
Summary
Responsible Innovation is an emerging concept concerning the governance of socio-ethical aspects of research and innovation practices. Nuclear technology is only called controversial because it has significant positive applications and positive effects on the social well-being of people in society Such positive impacts can be seen in enhanced medical treatments, the development of new materials and its provision of a (still debatable) source of energy (NEA, 1993). Because of these positive and negative possible impacts of new discoveries, policy makers look for ways to influence and govern publicly funded research and innovation in order to achieve innovation outcomes which are sustainable, societal desirable and ethical acceptable (Von Schomberg, 2013); governance of research and innovation can prevent negative outcomes of research and innovation from being implemented in society, and can further positive outcomes through incentive mechanisms. The following trends and developments in management studies can help to conceptualize responsible innovation in the private sector
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