Abstract
This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing conceptual debate on responsible innovation, and provides innovation practices and processes that can help to implement responsible innovation in the business context. Based on a systematic literature review of 72 empirical scholarly articles, it was possible to identify, analyse and synthesise empirical findings reported in studies on social, sustainable and responsible innovation practices in the business context. The synthesis of the included articles resulted in a refined framework for responsible innovation in the business context. This framework includes an overview of innovation practices and processes that can enhance the dimensions of responsible innovation: anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, deliberation, responsiveness and knowledge management. Additionally, knowledge gaps are identified and a research agenda for responsible innovation is proposed. This review can therefore serve as a next step in the theoretical and practical development of responsible innovation in general, and in the business context in particular.
Highlights
Societies all over the world are facing grand societal challenges such as food security, ageing populations, energy demand and climate change
In stage 2, we explain the scope of the review, the research design, quality appraisal, and the synthesis approach. This is followed by stage 3, where we present the innovation activities that help to implement each dimension of responsible innovation in the business context
Due to the conceptual overlap, and the fact that it is documented in the business context, we argue that studies on social innovation in the business context can serve as an important resource for studying responsible innovation practices in the business context
Summary
Societies all over the world are facing grand societal challenges such as food security, ageing populations, energy demand and climate change. Private industry is seen as part of the problem that societies face, but they are increasingly considered to be key for finding and developing solutions for societal challenges. Governments all over the world are encouraging innovation in private industry [1], as innovation and technological development are increasingly seen as the panacea for big societal challenges [2]. Innovations can have short-term advantages, and come with dilemmas, questions and uncertainties regarding their development and their future implications. This especially holds true for innovations that are disruptive, complex and hard to understand for non-experts [4]. Even the most promising innovations can fail because the ethical and societal concerns that come with innovation are not properly taken into account [5]
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