Results and impact of national foresight-studies

Abstract

This paper presents evidence suggesting that countries that continuously conduct Foresight studies, and that integrate the results systematically in policy making and the development of supporting measures and programs, perform clearly better in the national innovative performance than other countries. In retrospect, the Foresight studies are also generally considered as something positive in most countries, with evaluations of these studies shows them to have had a significant impact on the structure of innovation, technology and science policy. For instance, the results of Foresight studies are frequently used to establish research and development priorities and to design R&D programmes. The correlational analysis and the evaluation studies thus together suggest that Foresight studies do have a supportive function and role on the innovation culture and awareness for innovation in a country.