GUIDING DOCUMENT ON RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION REFLECTIONS on the LANCASTER WORKSHOP KARIM - ACTION 7 INTERNAL WORKING-DOCUMENT
Mar 13, 2016
GUIDING DOCUMENT ON RESPONSIBLE INNOVATIONREFLECTIONS on the LANCASTER WORKSHOP
KARIM - ACTION 7INTERNAL WORKING-DOCUMENT
CONTEXT The project partnership consists of a diverse group of partners with complimentary capabilities and competencies who are all motivated to address innovation in a responsible manner during this project.
Current understanding of what responsible innovation differs between individuals, organisations and regions. Action 7 aims to bring all of the project partners towards a shared understanding of responsible innovation and to the same commitment in implementing it throughout the project. The partnership needs a common language and shared vision in order to work towards effective and successful project outcomes.
This document is an internal document targeted to the 8 partners in the KARIM project. It is the first step in setting up a guiding document on responsible innovation. This document will be transferred to an online guiding framework when the ICT platform is in place. It will help frame the next stages in Action 7.
AIMS and OBJECTIVES of the WORKSHOPThe workshop in Lancaster aimed to get an initial understanding of the scope of responsible innovation and how it is linked to open innovation.
The objectives of the workshop were:• To start from a personal understanding, as opposed to starting from an
organisational or project understanding . • Create a common understanding by building on the diversity of the
different understandings.
Brie�ng Ice-Breaker Opening Exploring Closing
METHODOLOGY
BriefingThe participants were briefed six days before the workshop by email as follow:
“Can you think about stories or bring objects or photographs on what you consider as responsible innovation. Also we would like you to do the same for irresponsible innovation. These stories, objects or photographs can be humorous, personal, symbolic or metaphoric and don’t have to be limited to innovations from the last years. During the workshop, everyone will get 1 minute to explain responsible innovation and 1 minute to explain irresponsible innovation. This presentations don’t have to be formal and can be spontaneous and creative.”
Ice-BreakerThe workshop started off with an ice-breaker. The participants were asked to complete an exercise in a very short timeframe. This exercise aimed to make the participants aware that a task can be understood differently and collaboration and sharing of information is paramount.
OpeningThis phase gave everyone the opportunity to explain their personal examples of responsible and irresponsible innovation. The EDC intern, illustrator made cartoons of these stories.
ExploringThe exploration phase focuses on understanding the different degrees of responsible innovation and to identify points of discussion and fundamental dilemmas. This phase was also an opportunity to reflect on how open innovation is linked with responsible innovation.
Closing The closing phase focused on identifying gaps and next activities.
PERSONAL STORIES ON RESPONSIBLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE INNOVATIONS
MICRO FIBRE CLOTH ------------
I DON’T KNOW THE TECHNOLOGY
BEHIND THE PRODUCT, BUT IT JUST ABSORBS ALL THE GREASE AND
DUST. YOU DON’T NEED ANY CLEANING
LIqUIDS.
KNIFE------------
IT IS A DEADLY OBJECT, BUT IT’S NOT ABOUT THE KNIFE, IT IS ABOUT HOW I GOT THE KNIFE. I
NEEDED A KNIFE FOR A PICNIC. I BOUGHT IT FOR £2 IN AN OPEN-AIR MARKET. IT WAS THE ONLY KNIFE
AVAILABLE.
DENTIST APPOINTMENT ------------
THE NHS DOES NOT HAVE A PROPER SYSTEM TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DENTIST. INSTEAD I WAS GIVEN AN EMERGENCY NUMBER. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO
INNOVATE.
DEODORANT------------
THIS DEODORANT IS DIFFERENT, IT DOESN’T USE A SPRAY,
SO IT DOESN’T POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT WITH GREENHOUSE
GASES
LOCAL CRISPS------------
NOT A BRANDED CRISP BUT LOCAL PRODUCE. THESE ARE ANGLESEY SEA SALTED CRISPS. I BOUGHT
THEM IN A TRAIN STATION CLOSE TO THE AREA.
IN CAR WHEELCHAIR ------------
I SEE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION AS ALL THAT IS USEFUL FOR
PEOPLE OR WHAT IS VALUABLE OR BENEFICIAL.
FOR EXAMPLE A CEO WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND SAW A DISABLED PERSON IN A
WHEELCHAIR TRYING TO GET IN CAR. FROM THAT, HE STARTED A
COMPANY BASED ON THE IDEA THAT ALLOWED THE DISABLED PERSON
TO BE THE DRIVER AND DRIVE THE WHEELCHAIR INTO THE CAR.
USER DEPENDENT ------------
I DON’T REALLY HAVE A STORY FOR IRRESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. YOU CAN CATEGORISE EVERYTHING AS RESPONSIBLE OR IRRESPONSIBLE
INNOVATION. BUILDING ON THE KNIFE EXAMPLE. IT IS A
PERSPECTIVE. NOT ALL INNOVATIONS CAN BE
USEFUL BY EVERYBODY.
TRAVEL LODGE BREAKFAST PACK
------------THIS IS MY BREAKFAST PACK FROM THE HOTEL. I HAVE: DRINKS, CAKES IN PACKAGE AND 2 BOXES… IT IS RECYCLABLE BUT I THINK IN MOST CASES, IT’S NOT RECYCLED. ON THE
OTHER HAND, IT CREATES MORE EMPLOYMENT BY CREATING MORE SERVICES. BUT IT’S GOOD VALUE!
TURN OFF LIGHT ONLY ------------
A NEW SWITCH IN PRISONS. THIS SWITCH NEVER SWITCHES ON THE
LIGHT. IT IS A RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONLY SAVING A LOT OF POWER,
IT ALSO LEAVES THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE USER.
LIFE STRAW------------
ANYWHERE YOU GO YOU CAN DRINK WATER, EVEN POLLUTED WATER. YOU CAN CONSUME THE WATER
THROUGH THE STRAW SO YOU DON’T NEED ALL THE PACKAGING.
REED BED ------------
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CASE STUDENTSHIP. IT WAS ABOUT
REDUCING THE SIzE OF REED BEDS. REED BEDS TAKE UP A BIG AMOUNT
OF LAND.
STERILE PACKAGING ------------
THIS IS A PACKAGING THAT IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THERE IS A REAL NEED FOR IT. IT IS A STERILE PACKAGING FOR A
NEEDLE.
STUDENTSHIP------------
THIS OTHER CASE STUDENTSHIP WAS ABOUT DETECTING PEOPLE
DELIBERATELY TRYING TO CONTAMINATE DRINKING
WATER SUPPLIES. THIS SOUNDS RESPONSIBLE ON THE SURFACE.
BUT THE PERSON SUGGESTING THIS WAS IN HIS 90S. HE GOT HIS OWN
COMPANY TO DO IT. WOULD IT BE FAIR TO THE STUDENT? AND
ALSO I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPED BEFORE.
ELECTRIC BIKES------------
I THINK RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IS ABOUT SMALL AND LIGHTER
PRODUCTS.IF YOU TELL ME YOU CAN MAKE
MY COMPUTER OR ELECTRIC BIKE MUCH LIGHTER, BUT IF IT USES A TOXIC BATTERY OR EVEN WORSE, A MICRO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO OPERATE, I SAY NO BECAUSE ITS
BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
WATER BOTTLE------------
I AM INTERESTED IN FOOD. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME IS ABOUT PACKAGING AND REDUCING IT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WATER, WE NEED IT TO LIVE. WHEN YOU GO TO PLACES AND DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO TAP WATER, YOU NEED TO BUY BOTTLES.THE IRRESPONSIBLE SIDE OF IT IS WE NOW CONSUME LOADS
OF BOTTLES.
LIBERTY SHIPS ------------
IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR THERE WAS A NEED FOR RAPID TRANSFER OF TROOPS
ACROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC. FOR MASS PRODUCTION OF SHIPS, THERE WAS NO TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE. IN AMERICA THERE WAS A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY AROUND WELDING OF
STEEL PLATES. THE NAVY WAS ABLE TO GET A LARGE NUMBER OF SHIPS, WHICH WERE VITAL FOR THE WAR EFFORT. BUT
THE CRITICAL FAILURE WAS THAT COLD WATER CAUSED CRACKS IN THE WELDINGS THAT PROPAGATED VERY
RAPIDLY TO FAILURE.
MACBOOKAIR------------
LOOKING AT THIS COMPUTER, IT HAS TO DO WITH WEIGHT AND
LIGHTNESS. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND PLEASES MY EYES. I WOULD LIKE
TO HAVE ONE!
EDEN PROJECT------------
DIFFERENT DOMES WHERE THEY CREATE DIFFERENT CLIMATES AND EXHIBIT DIFFERENT PLANTS. I THINK IT’S A
RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION BECAUSE THE PHILOSOPHY IS THEY USED RECLAIMED
LAND. IT SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND
TEACHING ABOUT CLIMATE, HOW PEOPLE LIVE AND FOOD. IT’S THE WHOLE
CONCEPT OF WHAT THEY PRACTISE THERE.
NUCLEAR POWER------------
UNFORTUNATELY ANOTHER SECTOR THAT HAS NO CRADLE TO CRADLE
APPROACH, AND I AM SURPRISED NO-ONE MENTIONED BEFORE, IS NUCLEAR
POWER. ONE SINGLE qUESTION OPEN FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS IS THE ONE OF NUCLEAR WASTE. IT’S EASY TO HIDE FOR SOME YEARS. BUT NO COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HAS SOLVED THIS PROBLEM.
I AM INVOLVED IN A MASTER THESIS PROJECT FOR CARS. OF COURSE THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR
20-30 YEARS AT LEAST. WE HAVE LOTS OF INNOVATIONS WHICH MAKE COMBUSTION ENGINES MUCH MORE ENERGY
EFFICIENT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME MAKING THEM CHEAPER THAN THE ELECTRICAL CAR.
MY qUESTION IS, WHAT WOULD BE A RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION?
SHOULD WE SKIP ALL INNOVATIONS IN THE COMBUSTION ENGINE? BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS
HAS A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. SO SHOULD WE GO FOR THE ELECTRICAL CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE, EVEN THOUGH THE ELECTRIC CAR IS NOT ATTRACTIVE AND THE COMBUSTION ENGINE
IS CHEAPER? OR SHOULD WE MAKE THE COMBUSTION ENGINE EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE TO CONSUMERS AND AT THE SAME
TIME ALSO HAVE LESS POLLUTION.
RULER------------
A PLASTIC RULER MADE OUT OF 7 RECYCLED BENDING CUPS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE IT’S NOT USING VIRGIN MATERIALS. THIS COMPANY ALSO USED TO MAKE STREET FURNITURE OUT OF WASTE CARRIER BAGS. THEY ALSO BRANCHED OUT TO START BUILDING A “THIRD WORLD
HOUSE”. THE HOUSE IS MADE OUT OF THE
RECYCLED BAGS TOO. IT IS CHEAP AND EFFICIENT HOUSING AND SAVES LIVES
IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.
DISPOSABLE FORK------------
I BROUGHT ALONG A FORK WHICH IS A PRODUCT OF TODAY’S
THROW-AWAY SOCIETY. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT’S THROWN AWAY RATHER THAN
BEING RE-USED AGAIN AND BEING SUSTAINABLE.
TITANIC------------
I THINK OF THE TITANIC AS AN IRRESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. AT THE
TIME IT WAS SEEN AS AN INNOVATION. IT WAS OFFERING A LUXURIOUS TYPE OF LIFESTYLE, A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL
AND EXPERIENCE TRAVEL. SAFETY AND TESTING WASN’T RESPONSIBLE.
FREITAG BAG------------
I HAVE A CRADLE TO CRADLE EXAMPLE FROM TWO BROTHERS CALLED FREITAG. YEARS AGO
THEY STARTED TO PRODUCE THESE FASHIONABLE BAGS.
IT IS MADE OF SEATBELTS AND RUBBER FROM TRUCKS. THERE IS ONLY ONE PLASTIC COMPONENT
THAT HAS BEEN ADDED.
BANANAS------------
MOST OF THE BANANAS GROWN IN THE WORLD ARE THROWN AWAY RATHER THAN EATEN. THERE IS
AN ISSUE THERE ABOUT WESTERN DEMAND FOR BANANAS.
ELECTRIC ROLLS ROYCE------------
COMING BACK TO VEHICLES AND TRANSPORT. I THINK THE NEW ELECTRIC
ROLLS ROYCE IS A RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION.
APPARENTLY IT’S AS GOOD AS OTHER ROLLS ROYCE MODELS.
WHY DO I THINK IT IS RESPONSIBLE? I THINK IF YOU CAN AFFORD A ROLLS
ROYCE YOU CAN AFFORD TO DRIVE ONE. THIS ROLLS ROYCE IS PROMOTING
EFFICIENCY TO WHO CAN AFFORD IT.
OUT OF SEASON PRODUCTS------------
ONE THING THAT REALLY HEADS ME OFF ARE SUPERMARKETS THAT INSIST ON HAVING OUT OF SEASON
PRODUCTS ON THE SHELVES. THEY FLY THEM IN FROM ALL
AROUND THE WORD. I HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP ON THE IDEA OF WHAT IS IN SEASON IS ON YOUR PLATE.
THE FLIPSIDE HOWEVER IS THAT IT PROVIDES LOCAL EMPLOYMENT.
NANO------------
WE CAN TRY TO USE NANO TUBES TO DESALINATE SEA WATER AND WE CAN
DO THAT BY USING SOLAR ENERGY. IF YOU TAKE THE SAME TECHNOLOGY
FOR MEDICINE, WOULD IT BE RESPONSIBLE TO TRY TO CURE SOMEONE WITHOUT KNOWING THE CONSEqUENCES?
THIS IS THE CAUTION PRINCIPLE. THE SAME TECHNOLOGY CAN BE USED
DIFFERENTLY.
THERE IS A COMPANY THAT DEVELOPED A DIAGNOSTICS TOOL FOR DEVELOPING REGIONS WHERE THERE ARE DISEASES
CAUSED BY DIFFERENT PARASITES. WE DEVELOPED SOMETHING THAT
IS ADAPTED TO RESIST HIGH TEMPERATURES, IS LONG LIVING AND MADE WITH RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS
(RECYCLABLE). THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE WAY HOW
THEY ADAPTED IT TO THE LOCAL NEEDS IS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE. MOREOVER,
THE ECONOMIC MODEL IS RESPONSIBLE. IT IS LOW COST FOR LOCAL PEOPLE AND THERE IS ANOTHER MODEL FOR TOURISM IN THE REGION, WHICH PAYS FOR THE
LOCALS.
PARIS METRO ------------
IF I LOOK AROUND IN PARIS AT THE METRO AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT, IT IS TOTALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE. IT IS EXCLUDING ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE HANDICAPPED. THIS IS A SOCIAL EXCLUSION BECAUSE THEY DON’T
HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT PLACES BY WHATEVER MEANS.
FOR PEOPLE WITH CHILDREN IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ACCESS TO
PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
iPHONE------------
THE qUALITY OF MY LIFE SINCE I GOT AN IPHONE HAS DECREASED
SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE I AM LOCKED IN WORK EMAILS BY HAVING 24HOUR
ACCESS.
NEW zEALAND LAMB------------
IMPORTING NEW zEALAND LAMB IS BETTER THAN RELYING ON LOCAL SOURCES OF LAMB AS IT IS A
LESS CARBON INTENSIVE FARMING SYSTEM.
MY DISHWASHER------------
IT USES A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER AND DETERGENT. IT
ENHANCES MY qUALITY OF WELL-BEING, IT GIVES ME ONE LESS JOB TO DO. IF IT EVER BREAKS I’D GET
IT REPLACED IN 24H.
NUCLEAR POWER------------
NUCLEAR FUEL REPROCESSING IS A VERY RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. NOW WE ARE SOLVING PROBLEMS
WITH WASTE FROM NUCLEAR POWER.
MARKETING------------
ALL THE FLYERS WE GET WHEN WE GO ON THE UNDERGROUND. IT’S A
LOT OF WASTE.
POOR COUNTRIES ------------
TAKING RAW MATERIAL FROM POOR COUNTRIES TO MINIMISE COST AND SELLING IT IN OTHER
COUNTRIES FOR A PROFIT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
CARBON BUILDING ------------
INTELLIGENT BUILDING THAT SAVES ENERGY. IT HAS AN ENERGY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE APPLIANCES ARE EqUIPPED WITH
INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS.
GRAMEEN BANK------------
IT’S A BANK IN INDIA. IT’S A SIMPLE IDEA OF PROVIDING SMALL LOANS TO POOR PEOPLE TO HELP THEM TO
ESTABLISH BUSINESSES. IT IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL IMPACT AND USES SOCIAL
INNOVATION AND NETWORKS TO SCALE IT UP FROM A SIMPLE IDEA.
SHORT SELLING ------------
SHORT SELLING IS A MARKET INSTRUMENT USED BY INVESTORS. YOU BORROW SHARES IN A COMPANY AND
SELL THEM ONTO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE HOPE THE VALUE OF THE SHARES WILL GO DOWN. THEN YOU BUY BACK THE
SHARES AND SELL THEM BACK TO THE PERSON YOU BORROWED THEM FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE. I THINK IT IS AN INNOVATION BECAUSE IT IS MAKING
VALUE OUT OF NOTHING. IT’S PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE CREDIT CRISIS.
WHILE ITS AN INNOVATION I THINK ITS IRRESPONSIBLE.
E-TICKETS ------------
I PRINTED THIS TICKET MYSELF AND I THINK IT TAKES LESS
PAPER.
MAPPING OF THE STORIES
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS/DISCUSSIONThere is a potential for most examples to move towards becoming more responsible innovations. The discussion about the grey area in the middle can mainly be about the context a technology is applied in.
TASK During this phase of the workshop, the participants were asked to map out a selection of illustrated examples of innovation stories on a scale going from responsible (100% desirable) to irresponsible (0% desirable). A neutral median was indicated at the middle of the scale. During the workshop stories were selected according to available illustrations.
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
MAPPING OF THE STORIES
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
ANALYSIS OF THE STORIES
ANALYSIS OF THE STORIES
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
An innovation can make it
more obvious to a user that he/
she is responsible for his/her own actions or use
IS RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION ABOUT USERS’ RESPONSIBILITY?
Innovations can be beneficial for users by taking the burden of
responsibility away
MY DISHWASHER------------
IT USES A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER AND DETERGENT. IT
ENHANCES MY qUALITY OF WELL-BEING, IT GIVES ME ONE LESS JOB TO DO. IF IT EVER BREAKS I’D GET
IT REPLACED IN 24H.
CARBON BUILDING ------------
INTELLIGENT BUILDING THAT SAVES ENERGY. IT HAS AN ENERGY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. THE APPLIANCES ARE EqUIPPED WITH
INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS.
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
IS RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION ABOUT USERS’ RESPONSIBILITY?
Delegating responsibility to users requires clear strategies and good communication
Despite lack of understanding, users trust some
technologies
IS RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION ABOUT TECHNOLOGY?
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
NUCLEAR POWER------------
NUCLEAR FUEL REPROCESSING IS A VERY RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. NOW WE ARE SOLVING PROBLEMS
WITH WASTE FROM NUCLEAR POWER.
Nuclear power and nano-technologies are up for debate
because of the potential negative applications or
unintended consequences
IS RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION ABOUT TECHNOLOGY?
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
Technologies can bring benefits but can also cause unintended consequences
Alternative technologies can be a catalyst for responsible innovation
DEODORANT------------
THIS DEODORANT IS DIFFERENT, IT DOESN’T USE A SPRAY,
SO IT DOESN’T POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT WITH GREENHOUSE
GASES
ELECTRIC BIKES------------
I THINK RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IS ABOUT SMALL AND LIGHTER
PRODUCTS.IF YOU TELL ME YOU CAN MAKE
MY COMPUTER OR ELECTRIC BIKE MUCH LIGHTER, BUT IF IT USES A TOXIC BATTERY OR EVEN WORSE, A MICRO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO OPERATE, I SAY NO BECAUSE ITS
BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
Innovations and lifestyles are closely linked
RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION AND SOCIETY
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION AND SOCIETY
BANANAS------------
MOST OF THE BANANAS GROWN IN THE WORLD ARE THROWN AWAY RATHER THAN EATEN. THERE IS
AN ISSUE THERE ABOUT WESTERN DEMAND FOR BANANAS.
MARKETING------------
ALL THE FLYERS WE GET WHEN WE GO ON THE UNDERGROUND. IT’S A
LOT OF WASTE.
Exclusive innovations can prevent people accessing more responsible lifestyles
Inclusive innovations can
force people into irresponsible
lifestyles
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION-PROCESS IS ABOUT CREATING VALUE
USER DEPENDENT ------------
I DON’T REALLY HAVE A STORY FOR IRRESPONSIBLE INNOVATION. YOU CAN CATEGORISE EVERYTHING AS RESPONSIBLE OR IRRESPONSIBLE
INNOVATION. BUILDING ON THE KNIFE EXAMPLE. IT IS A
PERSPECTIVE. NOT ALL INNOVATIONS CAN BE
USEFUL BY EVERYBODY.
REED BED ------------
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CASE STUDENTSHIP. IT WAS ABOUT
REDUCING THE SIzE OF REED BEDS. REED BEDS TAKE UP A BIG AMOUNT
OF LAND.
Value for the poor
Environmental value Value for minority groups
Value to quality of life and well-being
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION-PROCESS IS ABOUT CREATING VALUE
Real economic value
POOR COUNTRIES ------------
TAKING RAW MATERIAL FROM POOR COUNTRIES TO MINIMISE COST AND SELLING IT IN OTHER
COUNTRIES FOR A PROFIT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
Value for the poor
Value for minority groups
Value to quality of life and well-being
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION-PROCESS IS ABOUT CREATING VALUE
Responsible innovation is about making products with smaller
environmental impacts
The responsible innovation-process starts with simple
ideas
Ideas can come from good
observation
Scaling up the innovation requires appropriate economic models and
appropriate markets
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION-PROCESS IS ABOUT CREATING VALUE
Funding an innovation process needs to be responsible
STUDENTSHIP------------
THIS OTHER CASE STUDENTSHIP WAS ABOUT DETECTING PEOPLE
DELIBERATELY TRYING TO CONTAMINATE DRINKING
WATER SUPPLIES. THIS SOUNDS RESPONSIBLE ON THE SURFACE.
BUT THE PERSON SUGGESTING THIS WAS IN HIS 90S. HE GOT HIS OWN
COMPANY TO DO IT. WOULD IT BE FAIR TO THE STUDENT? AND
ALSO I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPED BEFORE.
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IS ABOUT NEEDS
LIFE STRAW------------
ANYWHERE YOU GO YOU CAN DRINK WATER, EVEN POLLUTED WATER. YOU CAN CONSUME THE WATER
THROUGH THE STRAW SO YOU DON’T NEED ALL THE PACKAGING.
STERILE PACKAGING ------------
THIS IS A PACKAGING THAT IS RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THERE IS A REAL NEED FOR IT. IT IS A STERILE PACKAGING FOR A
NEEDLE.
Needs are not the same for everyone
Needs for good health. e.g. food and drinks
RESPONSIBLE IRRESPONSIBLE
THE RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IS ABOUT NEEDS
Not about creating supply (and demand)
for unnecessary needs
Need for social inclusion
Need for employment
Need for innovation
DENTIST APPOINTMENT ------------
THE NHS DOES NOT HAVE A PROPER SYSTEM TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DENTIST. INSTEAD I WAS GIVEN AN EMERGENCY NUMBER. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO
INNOVATE.
Following the mapping exercise, the participants were confronted with the following task: “Part of the proposal states that the network is about open innovation. I would like you to map out which stories you see as a result of ‘open innovation’ and which are about ‘closed innovation’.”
IS OPEN INNOVATION RELATED TO RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION?
“Can you innovate with people outside your organisation?”
“How does it help not to add the question if the innovation is open or closed? If it is really closed, you’ll probably never get to know and than you can not assess if it is responsible or
irresponsible.”
“Realistically responsible innovation and open innovation
are closely inter-linked.”
Openness as opportunity for innovation Communities and networks can be used to make innovations happen and as a result, innovations can instigate social change.
A lot of the literature is coming from large organisations where the question is “Can you innovate with people outside your organisation?”. In the context of an innovation system, SMEs are already collaborating with other institutions and partners.
Openness can also be seen as other organisations being able or allowed to enter the innovation process.
Openness as threat for innovationThe relationship between customers and producers needs security. Technological knowledge can not openly be shared because of competition.
SMEs survive because secrecy is their only protection. They can not submit patents because it is to expensive and it doesn’t work well.
Is open innovation about sharing of knowledge?It is about co-development where ideas and technologies come together to a final technology. Open innovation happens upfront in the innovation process, at a certain point there is exclusion because you have a client.
Why is open innovation important for responsible innovation? Some knowledge will be paramount to make responsible innovations happen. The KARIM network aims to accelerate knowledge and technology transfer between Universities and SMEs. Would it be responsible to slow down the process by withholding knowledge? Who owns knowledge in an open network?
NEXT STEP, WORKSHOP IN CARDIFF
The aim of the workshop is, to build on to the previous workshop held in Lancaster, to bring more clarity on the aspects of responsible innovation.
Could every KARIM partner select an example of a responsible innovation where they have a deeper understanding in. This understanding can come from:• Something your organisation participated in during the innovation
process.• A strong case study from a sector you work in.• A responsible innovation that has a recognisable presence or profile in
your home region.