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Meta-Responsibility in Corporate Research and Innovation: A Bioeconomic Case Study

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  • Matti Sonck

    (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
    Fortum Power and Heat Oy, Keilalahdentie 2-4, FI-00048 Fortum, Espoo, Finland
    This research article represents the views of individual members only and should not be taken as a statement of the views of the organisation as whole.)

  • Lotte Asveld

    (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Patricia Osseweijer

    (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, TU Delft, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The term “responsibility” embodies many meanings, also in the context of corporate research and innovation (R&I). The approach of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has emerged as a promoter for responsible conduct of innovation but so far lacks a systematic framework for describing, inventorying, and eventually managing different responsibilities that R&I units hold in companies and further in society. In this paper we take forward the idea of developing RRI into a “meta-responsibility” approach, for orchestrating responsibilities in corporate R&I. First, we introduce a frame for defining responsibility, which is inclusive of four elements (care, liability, accountability, and responsiveness), and is attentive to the intrinsic uncertainty of the R&I setting. Drawing on empirical data from interviews, we then examine how these responsibility elements become operationalised in an actual R&I project. As a result, we develop a meta-responsibility map for corporate R&I, bringing various and sometimes contradicting principles, expectations and obligations under the common terminology of responsibility. We suggest that such integrative outlook on responsibilities increases theoretical solidity and practical applicability of RRI as an innovation management approach. Regarding R&I practices, we conclude that the meta-responsibility map can support R&I units in exploring their co-existing and sometimes conflicting responsibilities, and in managing those responsibilities in the highly uncertain R&I setting. In particular, meta-responsibility shows applicability in (i) balancing risk and precaution, (ii) exposing and addressing concerns about the goals and impacts of innovation, and (iii) accelerating sectoral transition whilst securing one’s own competitive advantage in it.

Suggested Citation

  • Matti Sonck & Lotte Asveld & Patricia Osseweijer, 2019. "Meta-Responsibility in Corporate Research and Innovation: A Bioeconomic Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2019:i:1:p:38-:d:299582
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sophie Pellé & Bernard Reber, 2015. "Responsible Innovation in the Light of Moral Responsibility," Post-Print hal-01418017, HAL.
    2. Bernd Carsten Stahl, 2013. "Responsible research and innovation: The role of privacy in an emerging framework," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 40(6), pages 708-716, September.
    3. Bernd Carsten Stahl & Michael Obach & Emad Yaghmaei & Veikko Ikonen & Kate Chatfield & Alexander Brem, 2017. "The Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Maturity Model: Linking Theory and Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Ibo Van de Poel & Lotte Asveld & Steven Flipse & Pim Klaassen & Victor Scholten & Emad Yaghmaei, 2017. "Company Strategies for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): A Conceptual Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Sophie Pellé & Bernard Reber, 2015. "Responsible Innovation in the Light of Moral Responsibility," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-01418017, HAL.
    6. Marc Dreyer & Luc Chefneux & Anne Goldberg & Joachim Von Heimburg & Norberto Patrignani & Monica Schofield & Chris Shilling, 2017. "Responsible Innovation: A Complementary View from Industry with Proposals for Bridging Different Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-25, September.
    7. Long, Thomas B. & Blok, Vincent, 2018. "Integrating the management of socio-ethical factors into industry innovation: towards a concept of Open Innovation 2.0," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(4).
    8. Kate Chatfield & Konstantinos Iatridis & Bernd C. Stahl & Nearchos Paspallis, 2017. "Innovating Responsibly in ICT for Ageing: Drivers, Obstacles and Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-22, June.
    9. Rob Lubberink & Vincent Blok & Johan Van Ophem & Onno Omta, 2017. "Lessons for Responsible Innovation in the Business Context: A Systematic Literature Review of Responsible, Social and Sustainable Innovation Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-31, May.
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