Legitimation and effects of mission-oriented innovation policies: A spillover perspective

Abstract

Recent times have seen a rising interest for mission-oriented innovation policies (MIP) as a means to mobilize innovation capacities for addressing societal challenges. Building on advancements in heterodox economics and innovation studies, this paper discusses the economic rationales for three MIP intervention types by considering the spillovers they might engender. We provide an empirical illustration by using survey data retrieved from 276 firms participating in Dutch examples of each MIP type. Our findings warn against pursuing system transformations by adhering to traditional firm-level stimuli and impact measures (MIP drift), as well as against avid support for context-specific solutions (myopic MIP).