Mission-oriented innovation policy: effects on regions and implications for place-based policy

Abstract

The article argues that mission-oriented innovation policy is not spatially neutral but produces uneven regional effects depending on local capacities, institutions, and governance arrangements. It shows that national missions are most effective and legitimate when they are translated, adapted, and co-created at the regional level through place-based and multi-level governance.

Feldman, M., Kitson, M., Larsson, J. P., Tyler, P., & Uyarra, E. (2025). Mission-oriented innovation policy: Effects on regions and implications for place-based policy. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 18(3), 439–452.

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The state of the entrepreneurial state: Empirical evidence of mission-led innovation projects around the globe. In Moonshots and the New Industrial Policy (pp. 125–143)

Batbaatar, M., Larsson, J. P., Sandström, C., & Wennberg, K.

Publication year

2024

Published in

In Moonshots and the New Industrial Policy (pp. 125–143). Springer.

Abstract

This chapter reviews theoretical rationales for mission-oriented innovation policy and provides an empirical overview of extant 28 papers and 49 cases on the topic. We synthetize varieties of mission formulations, actors involved, and characteristics of missions described as more or less failed or successful. Fifty-nine percent of the studied missions are still ongoing, 33 percent are considered successful, and 8 percent as failures. Sixty-seven percent of the studied missions have taken place in Europe, 24 percent in North America, and 8 percent in Asia. The majority of innovation projects referred to as missions do not fulfill the criteria defined by the OECD. Results suggest that missions related to technological or agricultural innovations are more often successful than broader types of missions aimed at social or ecological challenges. Challenges regarding the governance and evaluation of missions remain unresolved in the literature. We find no case that contains a cost-benefit analysis or takes opportunity cost into account.

Article (with peer review)

How Fares the Entrepreneurial State? Empirical Evidence of Mission-Led Innovation Projects Around the Globe

Batbaatar, M., Larsson, J. P., Sandström, C., & Wennberg, K.

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2024

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Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship, 19(8), 664-772.

Abstract

While considerable efforts have been made to conceptualize and outline the theoretical and normative logic of mission-oriented innovation policies and the role of the entrepreneurial state, there is a stark lack of empirical studies concerning how missions are designed and executed, and when they may work or do not. This monograph reviews theoretical rationales for mission-oriented innovation policy and provides an empirical overview of 30 articles which together cover 51 concluded or ongoing missions from around the world. We synthetize varieties of mission formulations, actors involved, and analyze characteristics of missions described as more or less failed or successful. Among the projects analyzed, many do not fulfill common definitions of “innovation missions.” Missions related to technological or agricultural innovations seem more often successful than broader types of missions aimed at social or ecological challenges, and challenges in the governance and evaluation of missions remain unresolved in the literature. None of the mission cases contain a cost-benefit analysis or takes opportunity cost into consideration.

Working paper

Working Paper No. 368: The State of the Entrepreneurial State: Empirical Evidence of Mission-Led Innovation Projects around the Globe

Batbaatar, M., Larsson, J. P., Sandström, C., & Wennberg, K.

Publication year

2023

Published in

Working Paper No. 368.

Abstract

This paper reviews theoretical rationales for mission-oriented innovation policy and provides an empirical overview of extant 28 papers and 49 cases on the topic. We synthetize varieties of mission formulations, actors involved, and characteristics of missions described as more or less failed or successful. 59 percent of the studied missions are still ongoing, 33 percent are considered successful and 8 percent as failures. 67 percent of the studied missions have taken place in Europe, 24 percent in North America and 8 percent in Asia. The majority of innovation projects referred to as missions do not fulfill the criteria defined by the OECD. Results suggest that missions related to technological or agricultural innovations are more often successful than broader types of missions aimed at social or ecological challenges. Challenges regarding the governance and evaluation of missions remain unresolved in the literature. We find no case that contains a cost-benefit analysis or takes opportunity cost into account.

Mission-oriented innovation policy: effects on regions and implications for place-based policy - Ratio

Mission-oriented innovation policy: effects on regions and implications for place-based policy

Abstract

Mission-oriented innovation policy: effects on regions and implications for place-based policy

Abstract

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