4 TIPS: How to succeed with innovation around new technologies

How do new and immature technologies affect innovation processes in the public sector? This has been studied in a new thesis at the University of Gothenburg, with blockchain technology and other emerging technologies at the center.

– I wanted to understand what happens when public organizations try to work with immature and ill-defined technologies. Because they are elusive – a bit like a slippery fish, says PhD student Mikael Lindquist.

Interpretative space and tensions

He has followed innovation projects in a number of northern European municipalities and regions, including a Swedish government agency, for 15 months. The study shows, among other things, how project participants first need to create a common understanding of the technology before they can move forward.

– There is a lot of room for interpretation. Before you can start designing solutions, you have to decide what the technology means in our particular project. This means that you can only explore a small part at a time.

This often leads to tensions, both internally and externally. Internally, different roles, such as lawyers and technicians, may demand clear answers that cannot be provided at an early stage. Externally, legitimacy may be questioned.

– Projects cost money. If taxpayers don’t understand what you’re doing or why, criticism can quickly arise and damage trust, says Lindquist.

Public sector cautious

Although blockchain was a hot trend for a few years, there were only a few projects in the public sector.

– I think many public actors wait and see. They often let the private sector take the lead and then follow if the technology seems to work well.

A common trap, according to Mikael Lindquist, is to lock in too early and decide that a specific technology is the right one.

– It’s better to see it as a journey of exploration, and be prepared for the outcome to be completely different from what you first thought, he says.

Contact mikael.lindquist@ait.gu.se