Responsible impact and the reinforcement of responsible innovation in the public sector ecosystem: cases of digital health innovation

Abstract

Responsible innovation is an important consideration for digital health innovation. This study explores the responsible innovation processes of digital health innovators, and the reinforcement of responsible innovation practices. Using semi-structured qualitative interviews followed by a thematic analysis and narrative enquiry, we understand the lived experiences of innovators in the UK and Norway. We suggest three contributions. (1) That Responsible Innovation occurs as a process in practice, and we suggest a framework to outline that process. (2) We suggest that ‘responsible impact’ is the fifth domain and the output of RI. (3) We suggest that responsible impact may be a natural reinforcer of the RI process. We suggest that innovators who recognise the impact of their RI practice are more likely to continue those responsible processes. Finally, based on our study we provide an RI action plan framework to encourage the funding of responsible innovators.