Abstract

Background. Evaluation of public support for innovation poses serious methodological challenges. The reason for this lies in the systemic character of the innovation process and the need for more knowledge about the actual impacts of public interventions.

Research aims. The paper examines the specificity of the innovation process and the rationale behind public intervention in this field. It identifies the areas, which are crucial from the point of view of effective functioning of the innovation system and which should be recognised in evaluation. Systems thinking seems to be relatively new in the field of evaluation which has traditionally favoured more linear framework approach. Hence, the problem that deserves more consideration is: how to respond to the changing paradigms of innovation in the evaluation field.

Methodology. The method comprises a literature review, an analysis of the European Commission and OECD working papers, as well as a statistical analysis.

Findings. The paper distinguishes various approaches for impact assessment of the innovation policy: linear approach, based on input-output variables; an innovation system framework approach, which draws on the systemic understanding of the innovation process where many actors, their relations, and institutions affect the emergence of innovation; and a dynamic innovation system approach, which maps the processes (functions) of the innovation system over time in order to gain more insights to the dynamics of the innovation system. These different approaches build on each other and are the answer to identified shortcomings of the previous one as well as the growing need for more accurate assessment of the efficiency of public interventions.

Keywords: evaluation, impact assessment, public intervention, innovation.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Stimuli in public intervention impact analysis are growing. Due to the scarcity of public funds and growing societal expectations combined with the demand for greater government accountability, the focus of policy makers tends to be placed on the development of a systematic investigation of the effectiveness of public interventions. Monitoring and evaluation of public interventions provides feedback on their actual results and outcomes and it can be argued that they are a necessary precondition for a public organisation to be described as a learning organisation.