Governing the Knowledge Economy Ecosystem

Highlights the importance of a shared vision and collaborative policy planning process with significant stakeholder engagement, and considers the potential pitfalls and lessons for developing countries facing challenges in establishing the joint mission as well as guiding its implementation. In general, the Finnish national agenda setting and governance structures have changed from a somewhat narrow technology-led vision toward a more broad-based vision that pays increasing attention to non-technological demand- and user-driven innovation as well as to education policy. This approach proceeds from the idea that future competitiveness rests on the ability to absorb knowledge from elsewhere and to renew knowledge-based capabilities continuously. The long-term perspective, evident in how different agencies use foresight processes to support policy making, is a definite strength of the Finnish approach. The strong coordination of education, research, and innovation policy at the national, strategic level, especially through a high-level coordination body, the Research and Innovation Council, has significantly enhanced the development of Finland’s knowledge economy.