Governance of Socio-Technical Systems

Edited by Susana Borrás, Professor of Innovation and Governance, Head of Department of Business and Politic, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and Jakob Edler, Managing Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Germany and Professor of Innovation Policy and Strategy, University of Manchester, UK

'[The book] makes a very valid contribution. . . unpacking the uncertainty and the instability of the governance of complex systems while proposing some avenues to reduce the potentially excessive 'universality' of the concept. . . Efforts such as this one by Borrás et al. help pave the way in what remains a largely uncharted - yet fundamental field of research.'--Science & Public Policy'It is difficult to think of a more pressingly momentous political challenge than the topic addressed in this volume, and there could hardly be a better group of researchers to unfold key implications. In the broadest of senses referred to here, 'socio-technical systems' pervade all the great political dilemmas of the contemporary world. Across sectors spanning health, food, water, energy, environment and security, growing imperatives are recognised under diverse political perspectives for radically transformative change. What is needed is innovative interdisciplinary thinking combined with scholarly rigour and close attention to detail. And motivations are required that are more animated by enabling hope than by debilitating fear. All these qualities are evident in abundance in this timely and engaging volume. Offering the kinds of fresh ideas, intense commitment and expansive vision that are so essential to success, the authors and editors are to be congratulated on a robust and timely contribution.'--Andrew Stirling, University of Sussex, UK'The governance of change in socio-technical and innovation systems has been a neglected topic for too long. Finally, we have a collection which brings together an interdisciplinary perspective and points towards fresh empirical and theoretical possibilities. Ambitious and challenging but well-structured, this book suggests new interconnections between political science, science and technology studies, and economics. Any social scientist seeking to understand the governance of socio-technical change should start here.'--Alan Irwin, Dean of Research at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark

• Contents:1. Introduction: On Governance, Systems and ChangeSusana Borrás and Jakob Edler 2. The Governance of Change in Socio-Technical and Innovation Systems: Three Pillars for a Conceptual Framework Susana Borrás and Jakob Edler3. Anticipatory Markets: Technical Standards as a Governance Tool in the Development of Biodegradable Plastics Arthur Daemmrich4. Transitioning Sustainability: Performing ‘Governing by Standards’ Allison Loconto and Marc Barbier 5. Governance and Technological Change: The Effects Of Regulation In Medical DevicesDavid Barberá-Tomás and Jordi Molas-Gallart6. The Discontinuation in Socio-Technical Systems as Governance ProblemPeter Stegmaier, Stefan Kuhlmann and Vincent R. Visser 7. Translational Research: Entrepreneurship, Advocacy and Programmatic Work in the Governance of Biomedical Innovation Etienne Vignola-Gagné, Peter Biegelbauer and Daniel Lehner8. Governing Radical Change Through the Building of a Governance Arrangement Aurélie Delemarle and Philippe Larédo 9. The Who, What, How and Why of Governing Change. First Lessons and Ways ForwardSusana Borrás and Jakob EdlerIndex