Integral innovation requires new ways of collaboration

For social transitions to succeed, it is necessary to connect technological innovations with social innovations. For example, new technologies such as heat pumps are needed to ensure the success of the energy transition, but people also need to adjust their behaviour to save energy and switch to the use of non-fossil energy sources. Although both technological and social aspects of innovation are indispensable for societal transitions, there is often no focus on including both aspects in research and innovation. That is why new ways of cooperation in research and innovation are needed.

Technology is never just technological

When we think of innovations, we often think of technological innovations such as vaccines, the combustion engine and the computer chip. These innovations cause major social changes with both positive and negative consequences. As a result, it is clear that such innovations are never only technological; after all, innovations are only successful when they are accepted and have found a self-evident place in society. For example, for the acceptance of vaccinations, it is very important that they are accepted by many to ensure sufficient protection for all. And in order to steer digital traffic in the right direction, digital traffic rules and legislation are necessary.

Societal innovation as a catalyst

At TNO Vector, we therefore emphasise the importance of societal innovations as a catalyst for technological and social innovation. This means that the environment in which technical or social changes take place must also innovate. For example, by developing new business models, changing legislation, or adopting new forms of governance. To develop these technology-related innovations, knowledge is needed about behaviour, laws and regulations, economics and business studies, ethics and communication. Only solutions that work in practice and in society.

What is integral innovation?

In relation to innovations that aim for societal transitions the term integral innovation is also used. Integral innovation is when technological and social aspects of innovations (equal and simultaneous) are combined and integrated. Researchers from the science/technical sciences and social sciences and humanities work together on the development and embedding of innovations. Integral innovation also involves societal organisations and companies.

Integral innovation takes a step in three directions compared to many forms of innovation:

1. By reducing obstacles in the collaboration between disciplines and parties (such as researchers, policymakers, advisors, financiers, and citizens);
2. By encouraging the development of targeted policy frameworks and programmes for integrated innovation, including making the necessary funding available; and
3. By ensuring the strengthening of monitoring of innovation that also has an eye for progress beyond technological readiness.

Opportunities and bottlenecks in cooperation and financing

More attention is therefore needed for integral innovation. Many parties recognise the importance of integral innovation and the natural connection between technological and social aspects of innovations. But it often does not find its way in policy frameworks for innovation, research and innovation projects, and research and innovation funding programmes. Very often there is a 'technoreflex' or such programmes, frameworks or projects are mainly approached from one discipline. And although it still necessary to develop disciplinary knowledge and technological or social innovations, little attention paid to integral innovation means that opportunities are missed to accelerate societal change processes.

Doing justice to integral innovation therefore requires adjustments to policy frameworks, funding programmes and projects so that they are more focused on strengthening networks and collaborations of researchers from all scientific domains, facilitating the involvement of all stakeholders from the start, and monitoring innovations that look beyond technological progress. An example of this is looking at innovation not only by taking into account the Technology Readiness Level but also looking at the Societal Readiness Level (SEL).

Towards an action plan for integrated innovation

CLICKNL, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) Council and TNO Vector are currently working on an action plan for integral innovation on behalf of the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science and Economic Affairs as representatives of several ministries, which will be presented early next year. This action plan contains recommendations and action lines for policymakers, research and innovation fianciers and companies and institutions involved in research and innovation to achieve more integral innovation.

Only if we stimulate integral innovation in addition to targeted forms of innovation, will research and innovation lead to societal breakthroughs.