Abstract: In recent years, several countries have carried out large-scale technology foresight exercises. While these have been extensively discussed in the literature, less attention has been given to how foresight objectives are served through consultative processes which are not necessarily designated as ‘foresight ’ but nevertheless seek to provide direction to publicly supported research and technology development (RTD) efforts. Here, we address this question by examining Finnish RTD programs in electronics and telecommunications where foresight processes have been enacted to build up capabilities for strategic flexibility and, more specifically, for the ability to change the direction of RTD efforts during the program. We also argue that these processes may be crucial in conditions of rapid technological change.

OF MASTER'S THESIS Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics PO Box 2200, FIN-02015 HUT, FINLAND Author: Tommi Gustafsson Department: Department of Engineering Physics and Mathematics Major subject: Systems Analysis and Operations Research Minor subject: Software Systems English title: Participatory Foresight Processes for Finnish RTD Programmes Finnish title: Osallistavat ennakointikytnnt kansallisissa teknologiaohjelmissa Number of pages: 104 Chair: Mat-2 Applied Mathematics Supervisor: Professor Ahti Salo Instructor: Professor Ahti Salo Abstract: Technology foresight plays a central role in the planning of Finnish RTD programmes. However, due to great uncertainties carrying out a foresight exercise is demanding, and tools and methods are needed for its support. In the spring of 2000, Tekes and HUT started a collaborative project in which foresight practices for RTD programmes were developed. The project was carried out with Tekes' telecommunications program...

Abstract. R&D portfolio management is a critical task with which the majority of the large companies are confronted. Despite its wide implementation in companies there are no widely accepted and used methods to perform this task. Each company uses its own mix of various qualitative and quantitative methods to achieve its goal. The objective of this thesis is to explore the adequacy and the design issues to use a prediction market for supporting the R&D portfolio management process. We chose prediction markets to perform this task since their aggregation mechanisms and information discovery process seems to solve most of the current issues of the R&D portfolio management process.

R&D portfolio management is a critical task with which the majority of the large companies are confronted. Despite its wide implementation in companies, there are no widely accepted and used methods to perform this task. Each company uses its own mix of various qualitative and quantitative methods to achieve its goal. The objective of this thesis is to explore the adequacy to use a prediction market for supporting the R&D portfolio management process. We chose prediction markets to perform this task since their aggregation mechanisms and information discovery process seems to solve most of the current issues of the R&D portfolio management process. PREDICTION MARKETS AS AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO MANAGE R&D PORTFOLIOS 1

Continuing attempts to align science and technology policies with industrial and societal needs have aroused interest in the determination of research priorities. In this paper, we report a case study where leading experts from industry and public administration were assisted by multicriteria decision analysis in the planning of a collaborative research program for Scandinavian forestry and forest industries. We also address processual and methodological challenges in the deployment of multicriteria methods, and argue that such methods can contribute to the quality of decision support processes in related contexts.

Continuing attempts to align science and technology policies with industrial and societal needs have aroused interest in the determination of research priorities. In this paper, we report a case study where leading experts from industry and public administration were assisted by multicriteria decision analysis in the planning of a collaborative research program for Scandinavian forestry and forest industries. We also address processual and methodological challenges in the deployment of multicriteria methods, and argue that such methods can contribute to the quality of decision support processes in related contexts.

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background: The term blue skies research implies a freedom to carry out flexible, curiositydriven research that leads to outcomes not envisaged at the outset. This research often challenges accepted thinking and introduces new fields of study. Science policy in the UK has given growing support for short-term goal-oriented scientific research projects, with pressure being applied on researchers to demonstrate the future application of their work. These policies carry the risk of restricting freedom, curbing research direction, and stifling rather than stimulating the creativity needed for scientific discovery. Methods: This study tracks the tortuous routes that led to three major discoveries in cardiology. It then investigates the constraints in current research, and opportunities that may be lost with existing funding processes, by interviewing selected scientists and fund providers for their views on curiosity-driven research and the freedom needed to allow science to flourish. The transcripts were analysed using a grounded theory approach to gather recurrent themes from the interviews. Results: The results from these interviews suggest that scientists often cannot predict the future