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Organizing transformative innovation: Advancing an organizational research agenda within Transformative Innovation Policy

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  • Vedel, Jane Bjørn
  • Hasselbalch, Jacob
  • Borrás, Susana
  • Irwin, Alan
  • Simoneit, Vera

Abstract

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical divides, technological disruption, and the climate crisis, Transformative Innovation Policy (TIP) is more essential than ever. However, the TIP research field holds considerable potential to move beyond its current state of the art by incorporating a more sophisticated organizational perspective. This paper responds to a recent call for new analytical tools in TIP by proposing that valuable insights can be drawn from Organization Theory (OT) scholarship. By reviewing and categorizing recent OT research on transformative innovation, we show how engagement with this literature can yield novel insights within key TIP gap areas and beyond. In particular, recent OT work on emotions, social movements, and temporality offers promising opportunities to deepen TIP's understanding of capabilities, experimentation, and the systemic impact of policy interventions. More broadly, this paper contributes to TIP debates by advocating for stronger cross-pollination with OT to enhance the field's theoretical foundation and practical relevance. We conclude that closer interaction between OT and TIP can enable more effective approaches to transformative innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Vedel, Jane Bjørn & Hasselbalch, Jacob & Borrás, Susana & Irwin, Alan & Simoneit, Vera, 2025. "Organizing transformative innovation: Advancing an organizational research agenda within Transformative Innovation Policy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(9).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:54:y:2025:i:9:s0048733325001210
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105292
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