A Conceptual Model for Innovation Research in the Bio-economy

1. A Conceptual Model for Innovation Research in the Bio-economy www.ilvogenesys.be

2. Content • Contextualfactors • Innovationresearch anddevelopment • Conceptualmodel forinnovationresearch • Empiricalcases • Discussion www.ilvogenesys.be

3. 1. Contextual factors • Influenced by different pressures, the economy based largely on petroleum is transitioningtowards a diverse economy with renewable biomass as an important feedstock for both fuel and chemical production. • To realize this transition, incremental innovations alone will not suffice. More radical innovations are crucial for a successful transition to a more sustainable system. • The necessary applied innovation research is complex and will have to be organized on the interface of different disciplines. • But the classic research models usually follow a linear process and are often restricted to a single discipline. • To circumvent the barriers biotechnological inventions face and to identify the underlying bottlenecks, methodologically innovative research approaches are needed. www.ilvogenesys.be

4. 2. Innovation research anddevelopment • Currently, most agricultural innovation researchers use a linear model of knowledge creation and transfer of technology. • The results are techno-scientifically sound inventions, but are often inapplicable to real world problems. • Main reason for the inapplicability: undiscovered bottlenecks which hinder the market adoption. • These bottlenecks can originate from the six different dimensions of the dominant socio-technical regime. xda-developers.com Geels, 2007 www.ilvogenesys.be

5. 2. Innovation research anddevelopment • Identifying and developing solutions for the diverse bottlenecks, requires integrated knowledge of multiple scientific disciplines. • Technology is also becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. Result: The traditional, linear, science driven approach with its uni- disciplinary focus and closed boundaries, is no longer sufficient. • Innovation is increasingly approached from a systems perspective. • System perspective: innovation process is nonlinear and iterative. Feedback loops are incorporated in the process to maximize learning and knowledge creation between collaborating partners. www.ilvogenesys.be

6. 2. Innovation research anddevelopment • Multidisciplinary approach • Stakeholder participation and collaboration - Multidisciplinary knowledge and expertise - Lower individual financial costs - Division of tasks - Faster time to market - Creation of legitimacy and credibility • Non-linear and flexible trajectory • Iterative learning loops networkmonitoring.org www.ilvogenesys.be

7. 2. Innovation research anddevelopment • Multidisciplinary approach • Stakeholder participation and collaboration • Non-linear and flexible trajectory • Iterative learning loops www.ilvogenesys.be

8. 3. Conceptualmodel forinnovationresearch Bergeket al. (2008); Bruns et al. (2008); Gallagher et al. (2012); FetterhoffandVoelkel (2006); WallinandvonKrogh (2010); Nambisan et al. (2012) andowninsights www.ilvogenesys.be

9. 3. Conceptual model forinnovation research Broadexploratoryphasewithtwomainobjectives: Objective 1.Identification of viable innovation pathways Important criterion: Amount of bottlenecks that hinder development and implementation Determining bottlenecks: - Scanning relevant literature - Stakeholder participation Objective 2.Identification of relevant stakeholders Relevant stakeholders: - Identify bottlenecks - Provide supporting resources Primarysources: - Industry associations - Patent analysis - Expert interviews Innovation impulse Stakeholder selection www.ilvogenesys.be

10. 4. Empirical cases Case 1: The high-value valorization of vegetable and fruit by- products from the agri-food industry. Case 2: A valuable use for discards, valorizing unwanted and underutilized fish. Case 3: The valorization of by-products from agriculture and horticulture through composting. www.ilvogenesys.be

11. 4. Empirical cases • Which bottlenecks and opportunities are taking into account • How were bottlenecks and opportunities identified • Which stakeholders were identified • How were stakeholders identified • How were stakeholders consulted www.ilvogenesys.be

12. 5. Discussion • Opportunities and bottlenecks concerning innovation arise in all regime dimensions Multi-dimensionalperspective: www.ilvogenesys.be

13. 5. Discussion • The cases show how stakeholder participation can quickly expand the knowledge of the individual organization: - In case one an additional potentially valuable by-product of endive was discovered thanks to stakeholder interaction • The importance of the scope definition phase as a networking phase, is also illustrated: - Both in case one and three the innovation network expanded due to acquired contact information from other stakeholders. • Flexible nature of the research process is illustrated in the cases: - Case one and two narrow the different possible innovation pathways, while case three broadens the view to identify all potential bottlenecks and opportunities that different stakeholders experience. - Case one used a focus group to double check gathered data and to receive information, other cases relied on individual interviews. -Case three conducted some preliminary research in scope definition phase www.ilvogenesys.be

14. A Conceptual Model for Innovation Research in the Bio-economy jonas.vanlancker@ilvo.vlaanderen.be www.ilvogenesys.be