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Public procurement for innovation to help meet societal challenges: a review and case study

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  • Joeri H Wesseling
  • Charles Edquist

Abstract

Public procurement for innovation (PPI) is a powerful, underutilized demand-side innovation policy instrument. How this instrument can contribute to meeting societal challenges, which require goal-oriented transformation of socio-technical systems, remains unclear and is explored in this article. This article draws on the transitions and PPI literature to propose transformative processes to which PPI can contribute and identifies factors that determine the effectiveness of PPI in meeting societal challenges. The propositions are explored with a case study on the procurement of radically new flood barrier technology, using event history mapping analysis. The article concludes that, under certain conditions, PPI can contribute to the transformative processes of (1) the articulation of societal demands to direct challenge-driven transformation; (2) the development and production; (3) selection; and (4) the diffusion and use of new technologies to meet these societal demands. The article ends with policy recommendations on how PPI can help meet societal challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Joeri H Wesseling & Charles Edquist, 2018. "Public procurement for innovation to help meet societal challenges: a review and case study," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 45(4), pages 493-502.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:45:y:2018:i:4:p:493-502.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/scipol/scy013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Maria Merisalo & Kirsi Hyytinen & Juha Oksanen & Matti Pihlajamaa & Elvira Uyarra, 2024. "Navigating the multiple views of value in assessing public procurement," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 51(3), pages 463-476.
    3. Reale, Filippo, 2021. "Mission-oriented innovation policy and the challenge of urgency: Lessons from Covid-19 and beyond," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    4. Solnørdal, Mette Talseth & Thyholdt, Sverre Braathen, 2019. "Absorptive capacity and energy efficiency in manufacturing firms – An empirical analysis in Norway," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 978-990.
    5. Jakob Edler, 2023. "Demand, public procurement and transformation," MIOIR Working Paper Series 2023-03, The Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR), The University of Manchester.
    6. Calderini, Mario & Fia, Magali & Gerli, Francesco, 2023. "Organizing for transformative innovation policies: The role of social enterprises. Theoretical insights and evidence from Italy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    7. Johnsson, Filip & Karlsson, Ida & Rootzén, Johan & Ahlbäck, Anders & Gustavsson, Mathias, 2020. "The framing of a sustainable development goals assessment in decarbonizing the construction industry – Avoiding “Greenwashing”," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Iris Wanzenböck & Joeri H Wesseling & Koen Frenken & Marko P Hekkert & K Matthias Weber, 0. "A framework for mission-oriented innovation policy: Alternative pathways through the problem–solution space," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 47(4), pages 474-489.
    9. Donghun Yoon, 2023. "The Improvement Policy Design of Public Procurement Process for the Public Management Innovation in South Korea," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, March.
    10. Peter Adjei‐Bamfo & Hadrian Geri Djajadikerta & Ferry Jie & Kerry Brown & Reza Kiani Mavi, 2023. "Public procurement for innovation through supplier firms' sustainability lens: A systematic review and research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 387-407, January.
    11. Matthijs Jansen, 2022. "Legitimation and Effects of Mission-Oriented Innovation Policies: A Spillover Perspective," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 243(4), pages 7-28, December.
    12. Malhotra, Abhishek & Schmidt, Tobias S. & Huenteler, Joern, 2019. "The role of inter-sectoral learning in knowledge development and diffusion: Case studies on three clean energy technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 464-487.
    13. Leckel, Anja & Veilleux, Sophie & Dana, Leo Paul, 2020. "Local Open Innovation: A means for public policy to increase collaboration for innovation in SMEs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    14. Steven Denney & Travis Southin & David A Wolfe, 2023. "Do winners pick government? How scale-up experience shapes entrepreneurs’ assessments of innovation policy mixes," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(5), pages 858-870.

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