Technology foresight: an interim review of the uk exercise

Abstract

The UK completed its first technology Foresight (TF) exercise in 1995. As this paper argues, the specific technological conclusions, although certainly significant, were perhaps less interesting than the institutional and political procers invelved—before, during and after the TF exercise. Consequently, although it includes an ovenview of the technological conclusions, this paper also attempts an interim analysis of the overall process based on initial reactions from those involved, thereby attempting to give a general impression of the impression of the exercise. As this paper indicates, the TF exercise was trying to break new ground, and it has certainly opened up some new horizons. However, perhaps predictably, it has also become enmeshed in the on-going policy debate on strategic R&D funding issues.