Doing innovative ICTresearch: methodological challenges in leveraging the best of three worlds

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Doing innovative ICT-research methodological
challenges in leveraging the best of three worlds
Helge Godø
SKIKT Researchers Conference 8th April 2002
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Doing innovative ICT-research methodological
challenges in leveraging the best of three
worlds 

• Helge Godø
• SKIKT research conference, 8 April 2002

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Introduction Creating useful knowledge and
innovations

• The ICT-sector is RD-intensive, very large and
  extensive in terms of knowledge production.
• If successful, ICT-RD has a significant impact
  on our future.
• Research related to social and cultural aspects
  of ICT must become futures-oriented, i.e.
  participate in Mode 3.
• Mode 3 is at present not so strong in ICT
  however it is consolidating, possibly
  reemerging.
• Prior to the 1990s, Mode 3 was successful ?
  strong innovation regimes guided and designed
  the future of ICT

• Mode 3 may require adjustments of research
  methodologies.
• Methodology theories of, and reflections on,
  knowledge ? procedures and rationales for
  creating knowledge ? how and why explanations and
  theories are constructed.
• Methodology should reflect purpose of creating
  knowledge and innovations.

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Structural changes in the ICT-sector
1990s
1980s
Hegemony of liberalistic ideologies - Thatcher
Reagan - Berlin-wall falls

• Deregulation
• Liberalization
• Market-competition

• ICT-successes
• Internet
• GSM
• Digitization
• Lower costs

• Innovation-regimes of ICT
• - co-operation
• - future-oriented

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Reorganizing ICT-related RD

• Business units established - became profit
  centers - BPR - Business Process Reengineering -
  one of many mantras
• RD activities subject to market-oriented
  governance models
• Business logic cost reductions and profit
  maximization avoid RD-cost, only RD for own
  benefit (improve present portfolio) RD became
  conservative
• Long-term, explorative RD reduced migration of
  RD to universities.
• International RD collaboration became difficult
  - innovation regimes deteriorated, or became more
  proprietary

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Search for new ways of understanding innovations
and knowledge production
1980s

• Growing dissatisfaction with the classic linear
  innovation (and knowledge) model Academic
  research did not contribute to the Wealth of
  Nations - a crisis of legitimacy was emerging.
• A search for alternative models research on
  research, STS, debates on knowledge production,
  etc., blossomed.
• Kline and Rosenbergs chain-linked innovation
  model (1986) initially influential among
  policydecision makers.
• 1994 A book by Michael Gibbons et al. ?
  Knowledge production in society consists of two
  distinct modes Mode 1 and Mode 2. The book
  created debates and controversy. (More
  explanation in the paper, or Read the book!!)

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Emergence of two distinct knowledge production
systems (highly stylized as)

• Mode 1
• Academic context
• Disciplinary boundaries
• Homogeneity in perceptions
• Quality control and relevance defined by peers,
  i.e. within the discipline
• Hierarchical-static structure and organization
• Internal accountability
• Academic freedom and 'quest for knowledge'

• Mode 2
• Context of application
• Multi-disciplinary
• Heterogeneity in perceptions
• External principals decide on quality and
  relevance
• Ad-hoc organizations and flat structures
• External accountability
• Users and interests define the agendas

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Rethinking Science (2001) Agora

• A new book, Rethinking Science, by team
  Gibbons (Helga Nowotny et al.) - introduced the
  idea of agora.
• Agora defined as ..the new public space where
  science and society, market and politics,
  co-mingle(p. 203)
• Agora how to deal with uncertainty, i.e. the
  future.
• Generally abstract, advocating a type of
  Öffentlichkeit, should be self-organizing and
  encompass all interests.
• Many moral prescriptions given, however, diffuse
  and vague.

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The usefulness of research is in futures

• Mode 1 and Mode 2 is not comprehensive, too
  simplistic, but agora is too vague no
  satisfactory methodology.
• Agora does not relate itself to research efforts
  dealing with the future, such as
• strategic research - aimed at bridging the gap
  between basic research and applied research
• Research foresight exercises (planning research
  agendas of the future)
• Constructive technology assessment (NL)
• Triple Helix-model of university-industry-govern
  ment relations
• What is lacking A clear idea of Mode 3?
• If Mode 3, then how should Mode 1 and Mode 2
  relate to this?
• How does the best of three worlds look?

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What is the best of the three worlds?

• Mode 1 An explanation-oriented world
• Strength Building solid knowledge explaining
  why ex-post perspectives
• Based on academic culture, specialized in
  disciplines
• Prediction is an ambition this is difficult

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What is the best of the three worlds?

• Mode 2 A solutions-oriented world
• Strength Making viable solutions,
  how-and-now-oriented, responsive to external
  demands (markets)
• Strongholds RD-labs of ICT-industry
• Naïve ideals of creating technological fixes

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What is the best of the three worlds?

• Mode 3 A futures-oriented word
• Strength Creating radical system innovations
  demanding a long-term perspective backbone in
  innovation regime
• Strongholds Traditionally, in technical
  standards setting bodies - affiliated with
  RD-community of ICT deteriorated during the
  1990s because of structural changes in the
  ICT-sector
• Key anticipatory standardization defining
  and creating technologies and systems of the
  future 10, 15, sometimes 20 years ahead
• Indications that the innovation regimes will
  re-emerge, become more powerful in the future,
  with broader participation

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Mode 3 A futures-oriented word

• Mode 3 is not utopian it is almost
  contemporary. Successes GSM, ISDN from USA
  Internet. Failures Many.
• At present (2002) some initiatives have Mode 3
  elements
• eEurope-plan (short-term) EUs Framework
  Programmes
• ETSIs 3GPP related to UMTS
• The Open Source-movement (e.g. Linux)
• Mode 3 should exist for the benefit of society
  not just the industry

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Mode 3 A futures-oriented word

• Research on social and cultural aspects of ICT
  (now mostly Mode 1) should reorient itself to
  Mode 3 participation is more efficient than
  detached criticism its more gratifying too!
• Mode 3 will welcome solid knowledge on social and
  cultural aspects of ICT a spirit of
  open-mindedness prevails
• Mode 3 will need solid knowledge on
• Scenarios, policy implications and socio-economic
  impacts
• Cultural factors and behavioral patterns
  increased awareness of gender aspects and
  importance of aesthetics and games
• Human factors and interface in technological
  design criteria and assumptions