Experiments in Policy Learning

1. Experiments in Policy Learning • Ken Guy • Wise Guys Ltd. • Innovation Policy Learning • Six Countries Programme • Stockholm • 23-24 May, 2006 www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

2. Road Map • Focus • Experiments in Policy Learning • Barriers to Learning • Ways Forward www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

3. Focus • What? • Policy learning • When? • Last 25 years or so • Where? • Mainly Europe www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

4. Why? • Theoretical acknowledgement that successful innovation systems are dependent on stakeholder interaction, communication (transmission and absorption) and response strategies • General belief that knowledge and understanding of these systems and the ways in which policies affect them leads, inexorably, to better policy formulation and implementation • Recognition that theory alone cannot identify best practices and suggest optimal solutions • Thus a need for experiments in policy learning www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

5. Who? Politicians Policy Implementers Policy Formulators Policy Advisers Stakeholders www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

6. Current Context Past Actions Future Visions Policy Practice Parallel Activities How? Policy Inputs www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

7. Experiments in Policy Learning • Past Actions • Statistical trends • Programme evaluations • Portfolio evaluations • Policy evaluations • Impact assessments • Additionality www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

8. Experiments in Policy Learning • Future Visions • Statistical projections • Ex ante evaluations • Foresight exercises • Scenario building • Road mapping • Technology assessments • What if exercises • (SW)OT analyses www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

9. Experiments in Policy Learning • Current Context • SW(OT) analyses • Political analyses • Innovation policy reviews • Stakeholder consultations • Inter-ministerial communication • Policy coherence and coordination www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

10. Experiments in Policy Learning • Parallel Activities • Policy intelligence • Naïve benchmarking • Intelligent benchmarking • Policy networks • Mutual learning • Peer reviews • Policy coherence and coordination www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

11. Experiments in Policy Learning • Policy Practice • Learning by doing • Learning by writing • Learning by fighting • Learning via training • Learning via recruitment • Learning via mobility www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

12. Barriers to Learning • Past Activities • Statistical data better… • But still room for improvement • Evaluation systems more widespread…. • But still underdeveloped • Danger of mechanistic evaluations • Weak transmission of results • Programme rather than policy focus • Limited evaluation capability www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

13. Barriers to Learning • Future Visions • Inherent uncertainty • Room for methodological improvement and experimentation • Non-inclusive involvement of stakeholders • Lack of interest • Danger of hijack by lobby groups www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

14. Barriers to Learning • Current Context • Tunnel vision • Institutional isolationism • Weak communication mechanisms • Limited stakeholder involvement • Governance failure www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

15. Barriers to Learning • Parallel Contexts • Lack of relevant data • Lack of interest • Inappropriate representation • Weak internal transmission and learning mechanisms • Absence of knowledge management strategies www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

16. Barriers to Learning • Policy Practice • Lack of experimentation • Lack of ‘objectification’ • Lack of adequate training and career development • Lack of internal communication between policy formulators and policy implementers • Lack of adequate knowledge management strategies www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

17. Ways Forward • More systematic use of key strategic intelligence components (evaluation, foresight, benchmarking etc.) • Continued experimentation, methodological development and focus on key issues • Better internal links between formulators and implementers and improved knowledge management and career development strategies • Better external links between relevant indigenous and exogenous ministries • Better external links between the political, policy and stakeholder communities www.wiseguys.ltd.uk

18. Ways Forward • Greater emphasis on educational strategies to nurture both specialists in innovation policy and generalists capable of appreciating the importance of science, technology and innovation in the development of knowledge economies and societies www.wiseguys.ltd.uk