Short answer

Designers should consider how their projects can contribute to larger, mission-driven goals, actively engaging in shaping the markets for their solutions.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
Industrial and Corporate Change (2018)
Method
Literature review and analysis of case studies.
Evidence
Moderate effect

Mission-oriented innovation policies, by setting ambitious goals, actively shape and co-create markets rather than solely fixing existing ones. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Industrial and Corporate Change. Using Literature review and analysis of case studies., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should consider how their projects can contribute to larger, mission-driven goals, actively engaging in shaping the markets for their solutions.

Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Mission-driven innovation accelerates market shaping and co-creation

Mission-oriented innovation policies, by setting ambitious goals, actively shape and co-create markets rather than solely fixing existing ones.

Industrial and Corporate Change · 2018

01

Key Findings

  • 01Mission-oriented programs require tools for market co-creation and shaping, not just market fixing.
  • 02Successful missions necessitate a proactive approach to market development.
  • 03Lessons from mission-oriented programs can inform broader innovation policy.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should consider how their projects can contribute to larger, mission-driven goals, actively engaging in shaping the markets for their solutions.

How to apply

When defining a design brief, consider framing it around a societal mission or grand challenge to inspire more transformative innovation.

Project actions

  • 01Frame your design project around a significant societal challenge (e.g., clean energy, sustainable food).
  • 02Consider how your design could not only meet a need but also create a new market or user behaviour.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo understand the characteristics and implementation of mission-oriented innovation policies and their implications for market shaping and co-creation.
MethodLiterature review and analysis of case studies.
ProcedureThe article reviews the defining characteristics of mission-oriented programs, identifies key features that offer transferable lessons for policy-making, and discusses strategies for selecting and implementing such policies, supported by an example.
ContextInnovation policy and investment-led growth strategies.

Variables

IVThe presence and nature of a 'mission' in an innovation policy.
DVThe degree of market shaping and co-creation achieved.
CVThe specific industry or sector being targeted, the economic climate, existing market structures.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Highlights the proactive role of policy in innovation.
  • +Emphasizes the potential for design to drive systemic change.

Limitations

Applying a 'mission-oriented' approach might require significant resources and stakeholder buy-in, which can be challenging for individual student projects.

Reliability & validity

The findings are based on a review of existing literature and case studies, which can be subject to interpretation and selection bias. The 'success' of market shaping can also be difficult to quantify definitively.

Think critically

To what extent can individual designers or small teams truly 'shape' a market, or is this concept primarily applicable to large-scale governmental or corporate initiatives?

05

Design Principles

"Proactive market shaping through ambitious, mission-oriented innovation."

This approach challenges traditional market intervention models, suggesting that designers and innovators can proactively influence market development by focusing on grand challenges. It highlights the strategic role of design in not just responding to market needs but in actively defining them.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Big, ambitious goals can help create new markets for products and services, not just fix existing problems.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use the concept of mission-oriented innovation to justify the scope and ambition of your design project.
  • 2.Discuss how your design aims to shape or co-create a market for its solution.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This project adopts a mission-oriented approach to innovation, aiming not merely to address an existing need but to actively shape and co-create a market for its solution, drawing inspiration from policies that drive investment-led growth through ambitious societal goals.

09

Source

Industrial and Corporate Change

Mission-oriented innovation policies: challenges and opportunities

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about mission-driven innovation accelerates market shaping and co-creation?
Designers should consider how their projects can contribute to larger, mission-driven goals, actively engaging in shaping the markets for their solutions. Evidence: Industrial and Corporate Change (2018).
Why does "Mission-driven innovation accelerates market shaping and co-creation" matter for design?
This approach challenges traditional market intervention models, suggesting that designers and innovators can proactively influence market development by focusing on grand challenges. It highlights the strategic role of design in not just responding to market needs but in actively defining them.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers should consider how their projects can contribute to larger, mission-driven goals, actively engaging in shaping the markets for their solutions.
What were the main findings?
Mission-oriented programs require tools for market co-creation and shaping, not just market fixing.. Successful missions necessitate a proactive approach to market development.. Lessons from mission-oriented programs can inform broader innovation policy.
What research method was used?
Literature review and analysis of case studies..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2018 journal from Industrial and Corporate Change.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When defining a design brief, consider framing it around a societal mission or grand challenge to inspire more transformative innovation.
What are the limitations?
The article focuses on policy-level lessons and may not provide granular design-specific toolkits.