Creative tensions: mutual responsiveness adapted to private sector research and development

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Studies
• Innovation Management
• Sociology of Innovation

Background:

• Mutual responsiveness is a core concept in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).
• Empirical data on mutual responsiveness in RRI literature is limited.
• Existing RRI frameworks often lack practical application in real-world R&D.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of mutual responsiveness within RRI.
• To analyze RRI case studies from the private sector's research and development (R&D).
• To propose elaborations of the responsiveness concept for RRI.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of recent RRI case studies in private sector R&D.
• Identification of discrepancies between theoretical RRI concepts and practical R&D situations.
• Conceptual development based on empirical findings.

Main Results:

• The ideal of mutual responsiveness is not always feasible or desirable in R&D.
• Three new concepts are proposed: process-responsiveness, product-responsiveness, and P-responsiveness.
• These concepts address stakeholder involvement, product adaptability, and engaging unreachable stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• The study contributes to a more practical understanding of responsiveness in RRI.
• Proposed concepts aim to enhance stakeholder engagement and innovation outcomes.
• Further research is recommended through upcoming RRI case studies.