Motors of change framework for R&D and innovation planning towards sustainable energy in Turkey

Abstract

In light of the challenge of decoupling economic growth from environmental pressure, there is a revival of mission-oriented R&D and innovation programs in prioritized areas. However, it remains unclear how top-down and bottom-up approaches should be integrated to effectively achieve this urgent aim. This governance issue is addressed in this paper with a novel framework that builds upon the transition management literature. This framework uses the 'motors of change' concept in a futuristic view to plan the governance process behind the National Energy R&D and Innovation Strategy (2011-2016). A total of six different participatory approaches across the stages of strategy-building, prioritization, and implementation were designed to integrate top-down and bottom-up approaches to manage a mission-oriented approach and activate the suitable motor of change in the energy sector in Turkey. The design of the governance process was empirically implemented and validated in a process that led to the launch of eleven energy calls in the first year of the Strategy. The paper concludes with the key role of targeted participatory approaches in the launch of the Science and Technology Push Motor to transform the R&D and innovation landscape towards sustainable energy in Turkey.