The role of future-oriented technology analysis in the governance of emerging technologies: The example of nanotechnology

Petra Schaper-Rinkel

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 2013, vol. 80, issue 3, 444-452

Abstract: This paper analyzes the role that different types of future-oriented technology analysis (FTA) have played in the development of nanotechnology governance. In the US, FTA has been used to create visionary concepts and to promote cooperation between and among agencies, departments of the federal government, academia, and stakeholders. In Germany FTA has mainly been used to shape and define research and innovation agendas of established science–industry networks. The aim of the paper is to show what problems/challenges with regard to the innovation system have been addressed and what main actors have been involved, from the first monitoring and forecasting studies on nanotechnology to the establishment of national nanotechnology programs and continuing on until today. The paper offers a comparative analysis of the use and role of FTA where the focus is not on individual activities, but rather on the longer-term interplay between the organizational settings in both countries and the future-oriented nanotechnology analysis.

Keywords: Governance; Emerging technologies; Key enabling technologies; Nanotechnology; Public engagement; Foresight; Technology assessment; Responsible research and innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:80:y:2013:i:3:p:444-452

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2012.10.007

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