Responsible research and innovation in engineering and technology management: concept, metrics and assessment

Abstract

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a recent conceptual response of the European Union to the challenge of aligning research and innovation (RI) activities with societal goals and purposes. This paper critically analyzes this concept with a view of its coherence and applicability to engineering and technology management. Authors discuss the RRI relation to Technology Assessment (TA) and Corporate Social Responsibility and review the possible approaches to the measurement and assessment of RI activities in the context of RRI. Theoretical and practical obstacles to RRI implementation are presented. Authors call for more groundwork in clarifying the theoretical underpinnings of RRI. Furthermore, they conclude that innovative business and industry may benefit from self-reflection and self-assessment in the framework of RRI, however there is still a need to refine available tools and develop more industry specific approaches to responsibility in RI.