Service innovation thinking for research infrastructure mission-oriented practices
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22423339 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jorge Tiago Martins (0000-0003-3906-5904, Foresight and Data Economy, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, corresponding author), Giovanna Sanchez Nieminen (0000-0001-5432-5116, Ethics and Responsibility of Innovation, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-22 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Design Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1460-6925 • E-ISSN: 1756-3062 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14606925.2026.2679059 |
| OpenAlex | W7163011479 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
This article explores how service innovation thinking and design-informed capabilities can reposition research infrastructures (RIs) as transformative actors in mission-oriented innovation. Through applying the Future Ripples methodology, the study engages European and Latin American representatives of RIs and national innovation agencies in a structured foresight process to identify systemic levers of change. Findings indicate that embedding core service design capabilities – empathy, engagement, modelling, context sensitivity, and vision building – can help RIs transition from hierarchical, output-driven structures to participatory, user-centric platforms. Two critical transformations are highlighted: intensifying direct engagement with service beneficiaries and shifting from top-down to collaborative mission goal setting. These shifts enable more inclusive governance, greater responsiveness to societal challenges, and enhanced legitimacy of mission-driven agendas. The study contributes a practical framework for integrating design capabilities into RI operations, aligning organizational change with broader policy and socio-technical system transformations.
Innovation Management · Qualitative research · Service innovation · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Service and Product Innovation · Service-Learning and Community Engagement
Design, When Everybody Designs
Service Innovation
Mission-oriented innovation policies
Service Design as Formgiving
Missions and mission-oriented innovation policy for sustainability
Do transformer missions redirect values of mission-oriented projects? The case of the EU mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’
Rethinking societal engagement under the heading of Responsible Research and Innovation
Rethinking Design Thinking
Missing missions or partial missions? Translating circular economy directionality into place-based transformative action
Human and social capital accumulation within research infrastructures
Designing an experiential scenario
Assessing mission-specific innovation systems
Rethinking Design Thinking
| Highly cited | No |
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