Reducing lifestyle and living environment related burden of disease in the Netherlands: a Mission-Oriented Innovation Systems Approach

Abstract

This thesis presents the second case study using Mission-oriented Innovation Systems (MIS) theory. A mission in the health domain was chosen to add to the knowledge about dimensions that can influence mission dynamics, with a specific focus on differences in dynamics between social and technological solutions. The studied mission is called Mission I, and a part of the mission programme of the Dutch government: "In 2040, the burden of disease as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy living environment is decreased by 30%." (Health Holland, 2019a). By following the five analytical steps of the MIS framework (problem-solution diagnosis, structural analysis, system functions (or key innovation activities) analysis, systemic barriers analysis, and analysis of governance actions), the following research question was answered: to what extent are the systemic barriers present in the Mission-oriented Innovation System around Health Mission I adequately targeted by governance actions? For this purpose, a qualitative single case study approach was chosen, including 25 interviews with a broad variety of expert stakeholders and a desktop study of policy documents, scientific publications and websites. Based on the data analysis, three main barriers were identified to have a relatively large influence on the strengths and weaknesses of the system functions: the lack of a short term business case for the individual organisation for most prevention solutions, the bias within the MIS to mainly support research, (technological) development and innovation, and the fragmentation of domains and regions of the MIS. When reflecting on the extent to which the governance actions were targeting these barriers it was concluded that some governance actions were addressing the barriers, but these attempts were mostly restricted because they were bounded by a narrow definition of innovation focused on technological entrepreneurship. To better support societal embeddedness of innovations and thus mission I with governance actions, it is crucial to better support (regional) initiatives from all stakeholders of the quadruple helix that are involved in demand driven innovation.