Implicit theories in policy discourse: An inquiry into the interpretations of reality in German technology policy

Abstract

Interpretations of reality are an important, sometimes even decisive, dimension of the policy process. This essay seeks to demonstrate this point in the field of technology policy. Empirical research shows that government support for technology transfer in Germany is based on a concept of technology that is shared by neither companies nor academic researchers. These different concepts become reified interpretations of what ‘technology’ means. They are referred to here as ‘implicit theories.’ Interviews with academic researchers and business people demonstrate how inquiries into the realm of policy theories can be carried out.