The politics of directionality in innovation policy through the lens of policy process frameworks

Abstract Different interpretations of “directionality” in innovation policy and sustainability transitions literature streams suggest the need for distinguishing between actors “giving direction” contributing to transformative change, and “systemic directionality” emerging through transformative change required to address societal challenges. As an initiation toward bridging these understandings, we emphasize the process-oriented and political nature of directionality and mobilize political theory to conceptualize the politics of directionality. The questions who gives direction, where and how is direction given, which direction is given, and when and why does a direction change (or not) are employed to explore the politics of directionality in an integrative literature review of five policy process frameworks: Multiple Streams Framework, Punctuated Equilibrium Theory, Policy Feedback Theory, Advocacy Coalition Framework, and the Narrative Policy Framework. We propose an integrated conceptual framework for the analysis of the politics of directionality involving giving direction and processes of systemic directionality.