Anticipatory knowledge, epistemic communities and future-oriented innovation practices

Abstract

<p>The paper aims at linking the ideas of epistemic community, anticipatory knowledge and innovation management. The paper has three core elements. Firstly, it discusses the idea of anticipatory knowledge in the context of epistemic community. Paper suggests that a notion of epistemic community could be applicable in the future-oriented innovation practices of organisations. There are two dimensions in epistemic communities: strategic objects and community dimensions. Secondly, the paper introduces a framework to integrate anticipatory knowledge and strategic activities in a research and technology organisation (RTO). Thirdly, the paper illustrates these notions by analysing two empirical cases in a Finnish RTO, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.<br /></p>