A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
On foresight design and management: a classification framework for foresight exercises
Authors: Könnölä Totti, Ahlqvist Toni, Eerola Annele, Kivisaari, Sirkku, Koivisto Raija
Editors: Giaoutzi Maria, Sapio Bartolomeo
Publishing place: New York
Publication year: 2013
Book title : Recent Developments in Foresight Methodologies
Series title: Complex Networks and Dynamic Systems
First page : 133
Last page: 164
Number of pages: 310
ISBN: 978-1-4614-5214-0
eISBN: 978-1-4614-5215-7
ISSN: 2195-724X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5215-7(external)
While the expansion of foresight scope towards systemic processes and societal considerations has provided significant opportunities for learning and synchronised action between different business units and/or policy fields, it may also have caused digression and ambiguity in the practice and theory of the management of foresight processes. This is true, in particular, in contract research organisations that have faced major challenges to reorganise their foresight activities as part of the changes in their innovation practices. The paper examines the exercises and consequent responses to this shift at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The paper develops and applies a coherent classification framework for foresight exercises. The framework provides practical support for the design and management of foresight projects, as well as supports the overall management of the portfolio of different kinds of foresight activities. The findings also point out the need for the modular process design that helps adjusting foresight exercises in different contexts.