A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Constructing and mobilising futures knowledge in an organisation: foresight as a catalyst of dynamic strategic practice
Authors: Toni Ahlqvist, Johanna Kohl
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Technology Analysis and Strategic Management
Volume: 28
Issue: 10
First page : 1138
Last page: 1151
Number of pages: 14
ISSN: 0953-7325
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2016.1182148
The paper discusses foresight as a dynamic strategic practice and theorises the connections of foresight and strategic management. The paper argues that organisations have a rising need to foster relevant future-oriented knowledge in a continuous process that builds on the systemic understanding of the operational environment. For this purpose, the paper outlines a conceptual framework for continuous organisational foresight practice. The framework is based on two conceptual bedrocks. The first is the idea of continuity, referring to the long-term accumulation of organisational practices. The second bedrock is the notion of discontinuity as an organisational transformation factor. Furthermore, the framework builds on the notion of four knowledge spaces in an organisation, and it is constructed through six layers depicted in detail. The paper demonstrates this framework through a case study of a Finnish research and technology organisation, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.