Mission-Oriented Innovation Systems Dynamics in the Circular Economy

In the currently emerging paradigm of challenge-led and transformative innovation policies, addressing urgent societal problems is increasingly prioritised over spurring economic growth. This holds particularly for the innovation policy branch that focuses on missions with clear, timebound and ambitious societal goals. Completing such goals places new demands on innovation systems, as actors and activities need to align around prioritised problem and solution directions. Determining what hampers change processes, and which policy responses are appropriate, therefore also requires new perspectives that support the monitoring, strengthening and transformation of innovation systems performance. Building on the recently introduced notion of mission-oriented innovation systems (MIS), this paper aims to develop a theoretical understanding of typical MIS dynamics. We analyse and compare three Dutch Circular Economy cases, to highlight system dynamics at play in mission-oriented innovation systems. Based on the case comparison, we review possible implications and propose analytical steps for a MIS assessment framework.