The Role of Institutions in Policy Design: The Case of Research and Innovation Policies

Abstract

This article investigates the diachronic evolution of institutional approaches to research and innovation policies (R&I) in France and the UK, with a focus on how institutional arrangements and coordination practices influence the temporal evolution and layering of policy design choices. Designing R&I policies involves the intersection of diverse policy areas often overlapping with, or extending beyond, traditional ministerial responsibilities. These policies require integrating diverse instruments across knowledge production and technological development, often leading to institutional coordination challenges, which may affect policy design choices. Using historical data on R&I funding instruments, the article examines the organizational challenges faced by public institutions and explores how alternative institutional and organizational setups shape policy instrument evolution.