White Spaces Innovation in Sweden - Innovation policy for ... - Vinnova

WHITE SPACES INNOVATION IN SWEDENComplexity thinking challenges linear policy makingPolicy is designed and implemented in the form of push programs to use the language ofJohn Hagel III and John Seely Brown (2010). This is among other things a consequenceof New Public Management. A push program has to define its goals, its targets and itsoperational mode to reach the defined target population. The action logic is more or lessbased on the ability to foresee and control results. The reality is that these assumptionsare less and less valid due to wickedness and complexity. The result is less efficiency inreaching policy targets which in the prevailing mode of operation calls for more stringentcontrols and more focused action which just aggravates the lack of performanceand relevance in terms of addressing wickedness. Resilience theory discovered this inthe problem of linear eco-management failures (Chapter 3.1 above).These are generalobservations to show that platform policy represents a challenge for policy design. Policyseems to be looking for simple solutions to complex problems partly because of theinherent logic of politics. In recent years this trend towards simplification has beenreinforced by the mediatization of society and policy making. The latter is a phenomenonof special importance for forward looking policies like innovation policy whichmore or less by definition fails to respond to the dramaturgy of media for immediacyand conflict.(Hajer,2009)5.2 Policy rationales and policy options when facingcomplexityThe view in the literature on evolutionary theory, systems thinking and complex adaptivesystems is a bit troublesome from a policy perspective by questioning the possibilityto control societal change. This is valid both for policy making as well as for evaluationof policy that is often even more grounded on the illusion of policy being in control.This does not mean that all events are effects of bottom-up and self-organised actionsof agents beyond political control. Eve Mitleton Kelly (2011) who is a complexityresearcher states that, based on the logic of complexity theory, tools and methods arenecessary but not sufficient in bringing about organizational and societal change. Theycan, however, be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the multi-dimensionalproblem-space. No complex issue, challenge or problem can be addressed effectively byfocusing on a single issue or dimension, as they do not exist in isolation; the differentinter-related dimensions interact and influence each other. Once the complex problemspacehas been identified that understanding can be used to co-create with the relevantstakeholders an enabling environment, which addresses all the relevant inter-relatedissues at the same time. Complex problems often do not have a single definitive solution,but an enabling environment which is responsive and coevolving with its changingbroader social ecosystem, is much more likely to address the issues effectively. This isher key message both for policy makers in the public sector and decision makers in the99