Innovation Agencies & Paradigmatic Structural Change

Historically, Schumpeterian developmental agencies at the periphery of the public sector have facilitated rapid restructuring by engaging in continuous, radical policy experimentation. During this presentation, Dr. Breznitz will argue that these development agencies are less likely to emerge in an increasing politicized environment. Endowing agencies with the authority and resources to administer cutting edge programs enables them to positively influence public and private sector routines, but reduces the likelihood that they develop transformative new initiatives. By contrast, reducing an agency’s profile and resources to the point where it has the flexibility to develop radically new ideas risks marginalizing it within national policy debates.

After briefly reviewing the history of the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development and the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist, Dr. Breznitz will focus on the performance of three newly established innovation agencies, Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovative Systems (VINNOVA) and Ireland’s Policy Advisory Board for Enterprise and Science (Forfás).