Subject: Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy

Posted by Bill Rathborne on 3/11/2009
In Reply To:Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy Posted by Michael Round on 3/11/2009

Message:

Below is a link to the Finnish proposal and a link to a similar "Science & Technology Strategy" published in Canada in 2007.

Proposal for Finland’s National Innovation Strategy http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/pdf/download_en/finland_national_innovation_strategy.pdf

Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage - 2007 http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ic1.nsf/vwapj/S&Tstrategy.pdf/$file/S&Tstrategy.pdf

These documents are probably not unlike similar position papers published by the G8 countries, the EU, and probably many others. There is a common "theme" to these strategies that is based, it seems, ultimately on an "industrial/commercial competitive" model and higher "standards of living" (increasing GDP per capita?).

From the Executive Summary of the Canadian document, "Scientific and technological innovations enable modern economies to improve competitiveness and productivity, giving us the means to achieve an even higher standard of living and better quality of life."

In Canada, increasingly, research scientists at the most fundamental levels - like high energy physics - have to pitch for funding on the basis that their activities will ultimately produce "X" profitable, commercial "products".
If it is any consolation the Canadian document has proven to be so much political window dressing and almost nothing has been achieved.
In fact,
much has gone backwards and continues to do so. This document was prepared by our uber-conservative government and sees everything through the lens of private enterprise and that all roads lead to "commercialization". The Finnish context may be different.

I admire Michael's optimism and to the extent that "productivity"
growth - through scientific innovation - enables us to consume far more efficiently globally, "a rising tide can lift all boats", but the national government's perspective is fiercely competitive and do not necessarily see the "other's" success in benign terms!

Jack's concerns, I think, are well founded in the area of "overshoot".
These documents seem to assume that the status quo of increasing GDP/ capita is infinitely achievable, and whether governments are trying to pick "winning industries" (a dismal track record) or trying to identify R&D "strengths"
it is unlikely to result in much real change in direction, and much muddling through.

Bill

Follow Ups:

Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy - Kathy Arizmendi 3/11/2009 
Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy - George Richardson 3/11/2009
Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy - Bill Rathborne 3/11/2009
Systemic approach in Finland National Innovation Strategy - Kathy Arizmendi 3/11/2009