Simon O'Rafferty

a regional policy context of design for sustainability

enable ecodesignenable ecodesign

researchresearch

knowledge transferknowledge transfer

make connectionsmake connections

purpose of paper

outline the dynamics between innovation, design and sustainability by discussing the changing context of design practice and thinking

widen the debate by introducing this discussion to issues related to regional policy and capacity building

significant challenges

there is no money

there is no moneywe are getting older

there is no moneywe are getting olderthe planet is warming up

there is no moneywe are getting olderthe planet is warming upwar is everywhere

why talk about design?

non-technological innovation, including DESIGN, innovation in services as well as culture-based creativity, is an important tool for competitiveness, growth and quality of life for citizens.

“ “

Council of the European Union, Conclusions on Creating an innovative Europe, 26 May 2010

the Council INVITES the Commission and Member States to give special attention to DESIGN considering its leverage effect on innovation performance, taking into account economic, social & environmental sustainability aspects

““

Council of the European Union, Conclusions on Creating an innovative Europe, 26 May 2010

designers interact between industry, technology & people

industry

people

design

design can influence how people use products

industry

people

design

Translation space

image source: engine group

image adapted from SVID

inspired by Stanford D.School

challenge for regions

ensure sustainable regional development

recognise role design can play within this & build capacity for it

take a systems perspective because design for sustainability is a non-linear and interactive process

different SMEs require different forms of ecodesign intervention because of a number of dynamic defining characteristics (e.g. absorptive capacity, innovation systems)

study

previous interventions

grants and R&D financeregulatory frameworkstax & financial incentives‘brokering’ servicesmobility of personnel transfer and exploitation of research resultsinformation diffusion demonstrator projectsco-ordination and transparency

inspiring case examples but low long-term retention or diffusion of ecodesign activities

theoretical frameworkmarket failure

neo-classical economics (Keynes)

linear models of innovation

addressing inputs & distribution rather than system

supporting firms in isolation

systems failure

evolutionary economics (Joseph Schumpeter)

innovation systems

knowledge & interactive learning

actors, infrastructure and culture

networks & competition

capacity building frameworks

key observations (general)

different forms of intervention – strategic competencies, capacity building

an innovation system perspective – knowledge exchange, interaction/interactive learning, (multi-actor clusters, brokerage, mobility schemes)

policy instruments that address changes in behaviour for innovation, dealing with strategic, informational, or organisational needs

an exploration of new (possibly informal) support channels - e.g. VC or informal risk capitalists, design entrepreneur networks

greater policy coherence (supply and demand side) with “open borders”

key observations (general)

no tools to assist policy makers and intermediary organisations

evaluation still based on output input / output additionality

response

evaluation framework based on capacity building literature, retrospective data, 12 month participant observation on regional intervention/programme

thank you