Mission-oriented innovation policy as a hybridisation process : the case of transforming a national fertilising system

Abstract

Policymakers and researchers have discussed mission-oriented innovation policies (MIPs) as one way to tackle the grand challenges of modern societies. Our contribution to MIP research is to provide a case analysis of the unfolding of such a policy from a hybridity perspective. Hybridity refers to the amalgamation of public policies, private efforts, and voluntary activities when pursuing societal aims. In practice, hybridity integrates value propositions from governments, markets, and civil society. Our case study subject is the Finnish nutrient recycling (NR) policy. The NR policy aims to supersede the dominance of chemical fertilisers with organic fertilisers. We analysed forms of hybridity and hybrid constellations of actors that were initiated as part of the Finnish NR policy. Subsequently, we analysed how the value-creation mechanisms of legitimising, compromising, and mixing appear in the NR policy. As a result, we conceptualised what the process of hybridisation entails in the context of MIPs.