The role of policy entrepreneurs in defining directions of innovation policy: A case study of automated driving in the Netherlands

Edgar Salas Gironés (Corresponding author), Q.C. van Est, Geert P.J. Verbong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As directionality is acknowledged as an essential component of contemporary innovation policies, questions have been raised about how and by whom the directions of innovation policy are set. Despite considerable attention on this matter, contributions have not explored the policy process of directionality, nor examined empirical cases to study directionality in practice. Considering these gaps, this paper presents an in-depth case study of the Dutch Automated Driving initiative that was developed under a smart mobility agenda with transformative aims (2013–2018). This initiative was rapidly championed by policymakers, and the agenda geared almost exclusively to its development. To study the policy processes therein, we used an adapted version of the Multiple Streams Framework (MS) (Kingdon, 1984). MS suggests that directions of policy change are determined by institutional entrepreneurs who have access to policy venues. We found that these entrepreneurs used political strategies (e.g. framing, problem-solution coupling) to champion automated vehicles as a transformative technology. However, eventually the transformative potential promises were not kept, leading to policy failure. In contrast, entrepreneurs’ self-interests dominated the policy implementation phase. This paper suggests that more attention should be given in how directions set in the early policy phases can be kept throughout the policy process.
Original languageEnglish
Article number120243
Number of pages12
JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume161
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Automated driving
  • Directionality
  • Innovation policy
  • Policy entrepreneurship
  • Policy process
  • Transformative innovation

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