In this preprint, Caetano Penna, Diana Velasco, Johan Schot and Jordi Molas-Gallart explore the evolving role of the state in addressing contemporary societal challenges through transformative mission-oriented innovation policies.
Titled “From technological to transformative missions: institutional capacities and capabilities for contemporary mission-oriented policies,” the chapter examines how governments are moving beyond traditional, technology-focused missions towards a more transformative role—aimed at reshaping socio-technical systems such as energy, mobility and food in more sustainable and inclusive directions.
The authors argue that delivering on such transformative missions requires a new set of institutional capacities and capabilities. Rather than focusing only on setting mission goals, the chapter proposes a framework that highlights the practical requirements for designing, implementing and evaluating transformative mission-oriented policies—emphasising governance, coordination, learning and participation across multiple actors and systems.
This preprint appears as one chapter published in The New Role of the State for Transformative Innovation: An International Research Handbook, edited by Uwe Cantner, Dirk Fornahl and Stefan Kuhlmann. The handbook explores the evolving role of the state in driving innovation to address grand societal challenges, including sustainability, social inclusion and economic transformation.
