Contact person: Castrillón, Eugenia (Madrid (ES) IE University)
From theory to practice: Crafting effective and mission-oriented innovation policies
Author: Eugenia Castrillón
Keywords: mission-orientation, policy mixes, best practices
Abstract
The proposed track delves into the effectiveness of innovation policy mixes within innovation systems.
Using Spain as a case study and benchmarking against other European countries such as Sweden and Germany, the track examines how the execution of policy frameworks, institutional organization or incentive structures impact knowledge transfer, innovation outcomes and, at large, a mission-oriented innovation.
Spain is an interesting case study for examining the strategy and execution of innovation policies. Despite incorporating many of the recommendations made by international organizations like the OECD, Spain continues to lag behind in key innovation metrics, highlighting the gap between theoretical policy design and practical outcomes. This disconnect underscores the fact that the challenge is not merely one of copying successful measures from other countries.
One of the major challenges in Spain has been the misalignment between its ambitious innovation policies on paper and their practical impact. Factors such as fragmented governance, rigid institutional structures, burdensome bureaucratic procedures and poorly aligned incentives have consistently undermined policy effectiveness.
An effective innovation policy mix should reflect the country’s strategic objectives, address its structural and cultural characteristics, and incorporate effective mechanisms for execution and accountability. Ex-post evaluation controls must be central to the framework, with clear measures for success or failure, and the political will to adapt policies if the goals are not met. Even when it entails short-term political risks, this adaptability is essential as it ensures that innovation policies remain aligned with national priorities and global challenges.
This need for alignment becomes even more important in the context of mission-oriented innovation, where the stakes are higher, the objectives more complex and the stakeholders broader. Unlike traditional innovation policies, mission-oriented approaches demand a higher degree of coherence across policy areas, institutions and stakeholders.
Drawing upon examples from countries like Sweden and Germany where more successful approaches have been taken, this track aims to explore how other countries like Spain can move beyond superficial adoption of best practices and implement innovation policies that are more effective, adaptive and mission-driven.