Andrea Declich
"Tor Vergata" University of Rome, Biology, Department Member
Responsible research and innovation (RRI) has gained significant traction in recent decades. However, the previous discussions on RRI have overlooked the economic dimension of innovation, which is encompassed by the perspective of... more
Responsible research and innovation (RRI) has gained significant traction in recent decades. However, the previous discussions on RRI have overlooked the economic dimension of innovation, which is encompassed by the perspective of Neo-Schumpeterian economics (N-SE). This paper aims to bridge the gap between the theories of responsible innovation (RI) and RRI and the underlying assumptions of N-SE. We seek to clarify the concept of responsible (research and) innovation — R(R)I. N-SE inherently recognizes the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including society and the public sector, as entrepreneurs driving and implementing innovation while assuming responsibility for its effects and consequences. In this respect, N-SE aligns with the responsible innovation concept discussed within the R(R)I framework. The paper addresses the fundamental question: What are the shared areas of interest between R(R)I and N-SE? This exploration enhances our understanding and facilitates the practical implementation of R(R)I in the context of N-SE, thereby promoting ethical, socially beneficial, and sustainable technological advancements.
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In this paper, we cross-fertilise responsible innovation (RI), the Lean Start-up approach (LSA) and the Quadruple Helix approach (QH) within one model: the social responsibility for start-ups model (SRSM). SRSM aims to instil... more
In this paper, we cross-fertilise responsible innovation (RI), the Lean Start-up approach (LSA) and the Quadruple Helix approach (QH) within one model: the social responsibility for start-ups model (SRSM). SRSM aims to instil responsibility into the start-up innovation process by ensuring that the voices of stakeholders from all four helices are taken into account, whilst providing an assessment of current impacts in these areas compared with the ambition of start-ups. This helps to identify room for improvement in order to provide an iterative, lean approach for start-ups to inform the strategy of the start-up cycle, which incorporates the four helices of the QH, and the four process requirements found in RI theory (anticipation, reflexivity, inclusiveness, and responsiveness). This model works as a way to operationalize responsibility in start-ups. This paper fills a gap where there is a lack of suitable approaches for start-ups to follow and implement.
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COVID-19 and Governance focuses on the relationship between governance institutions and approaches to Covid-19 and health outcomes. Organized by region, the book is structured to follow the spread of Covid-19 in the course of 2020,... more
COVID-19 and Governance focuses on the relationship
between governance institutions and approaches to
Covid-19 and health outcomes. Organized by region, the
book is structured to follow the spread of Covid-19 in the
course of 2020, through Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the
Americas, and Africa.
The analyses explore a number of key themes, including
public health systems, government capability, and trust in
government – as well as underlying variables of social
cohesion and inequality. Engaged and free of jargon, this
book speaks to a wide global public – including scholars,
students and policymakers – on a topic that has profound
and broad appeal.
between governance institutions and approaches to
Covid-19 and health outcomes. Organized by region, the
book is structured to follow the spread of Covid-19 in the
course of 2020, through Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the
Americas, and Africa.
The analyses explore a number of key themes, including
public health systems, government capability, and trust in
government – as well as underlying variables of social
cohesion and inequality. Engaged and free of jargon, this
book speaks to a wide global public – including scholars,
students and policymakers – on a topic that has profound
and broad appeal.
The paper presents some results emerging from the EC funded INNOVEAS project, particularly from a study on the non-economic factors that prevent (or facilitate) the adoption of energy efficiency measures and energy audits by SMEs. This... more
The paper presents some results emerging from the EC funded INNOVEAS project, particularly from a study on the non-economic factors that prevent (or facilitate) the adoption of energy efficiency measures and energy audits by SMEs. This study and its results are relevant for a reflection on the role of SMEs for the adoption of new business practices and technologies (including materials) that are conducive to a green transition. Attention will be paid also to those obstacles and facilitating factors that are relevant for the promotion of the circular economy-which is also, in fact, a strategy for achieving energy efficiency. The paper is based on the view that materials are a special type of technology and, as such, are the result of a social construction process. From this angle, materials can be thought of also by considering the actors involved in the process of their development and use. The life cycle of materials, in particular, must be analyzed also considering the role that different actors play in it; not only the technical characteristics of the materials have to be considered, but also the social context of development and application of materials. Such assumptions can be used also for interpreting the role of the actors in the challenges that contemporary societies are facing, particularly the promotion of energy saving and of the circular economy and more generally the transition towards decarbonization and dematerialization. In this paper, the focus is on a particular type of actors, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). They constitute a plethora of economic actors operating in numerous production sectors and at different levels of the value chains. SMEs orientations are important for achieving a better knowledge of the cycle of materials, especially in relation to the possibility of directing it towards the pursuit of environmental objectives such as energy saving and the circular economy. The paper stresses that considering the role of SMEs in such wide social and economic innovation process should illustrate peculiar aspects of the "internal" life of SMEs (culture, organizational skills, etc.) as well as the interaction with other actors within the context of operation of SMEs.
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The article presents Imagined Futures. Fictional Expectations and Capitalist Dynamics by economic sociologist Jens Beckert and the main concepts he proposes, particularly that of “Fictional Expectation”, as well as the path followed for... more
The article presents Imagined Futures. Fictional Expectations and Capitalist Dynamics by economic sociologist Jens Beckert and the main concepts he proposes, particularly that of “Fictional Expectation”, as well as the path followed for coming to its definition. The book focuses on the issue of the temporal nature of social and economic action, and the connected fundamental problem of uncertainty of the future. Dealing with these issues is a challenge for economic sociology and for economics, as well as for all the social sciences. The author addresses the challenge through an interdisciplinary approach, that also resorts to literature and narrative theory in order to deal with the fictional nature of expectations. Beckert’s book has not been translated into Italian but it has been widely read and appreciated overseas (some reviewers say it could become a “modern classic” of economic sociology). The article also addresses some of the issues that have emerged from the debate that followed the publishing of the book.
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Abstract. The paper discusses the relevance of the link between gender and materials, in the framework of a more general reflection on the science-society relationship. In order to do this, the theoretical path is presented that the... more
Abstract. The paper discusses the relevance of the link between gender and materials, in the framework of a
more general reflection on the science-society relationship. In order to do this, the theoretical path is presented
that the author and his colleagues followed, with the aim of using some concepts and theoretical and
methodological approaches taken from social sciences for a better consideration of society and materials issues.
The gender/materials connection does not appear to have been dealt with yet in a systematic way, although
there are some interesting studies and insights. This connection instead appears very important in the light of a
sociological reflection focusing on the relations among the social actors involved in the cycle of materials. The
centrality of social actors within the processes that define the value chain and life cycle of products and materials
is presented and, in this framework, the importance of design is stressed, together with other typical phenomena
highlighted within social sciences such as closure or negotiation, power relations, etc. Particularly,
considerations on gender appear important because they imply the possibility to include the different points
of view, approaches and solutions of gender-diverse actors. Gender differences and gender related dynamics
emerges as relevant in the definition of research priorities, in the analysis of needs, uses, and social and
environmental impacts of materials and products is likely to limit the potential and distort the perspective of
materials science. In this framework, existing data are presented that show that materials represent an area of
scientific research (both academic and non-academic) where the under-representation of women is presently
recorded and probably impacts on the materials sector as a whole. The proposed reflection on the relation
between gender and materials is still a very initial one, but further research is advisable in light of the centrality
of sustainable policy issues such as the Circular Economy (CE) where it is important to focus the attention on the
role of social actors in the entire product cycle and not only in its final part (e.g., the purchase of consumer goods,
their use, disposal, re-use, etc.). A further reflection on gender and materials could also be relevant for LCA.
more general reflection on the science-society relationship. In order to do this, the theoretical path is presented
that the author and his colleagues followed, with the aim of using some concepts and theoretical and
methodological approaches taken from social sciences for a better consideration of society and materials issues.
The gender/materials connection does not appear to have been dealt with yet in a systematic way, although
there are some interesting studies and insights. This connection instead appears very important in the light of a
sociological reflection focusing on the relations among the social actors involved in the cycle of materials. The
centrality of social actors within the processes that define the value chain and life cycle of products and materials
is presented and, in this framework, the importance of design is stressed, together with other typical phenomena
highlighted within social sciences such as closure or negotiation, power relations, etc. Particularly,
considerations on gender appear important because they imply the possibility to include the different points
of view, approaches and solutions of gender-diverse actors. Gender differences and gender related dynamics
emerges as relevant in the definition of research priorities, in the analysis of needs, uses, and social and
environmental impacts of materials and products is likely to limit the potential and distort the perspective of
materials science. In this framework, existing data are presented that show that materials represent an area of
scientific research (both academic and non-academic) where the under-representation of women is presently
recorded and probably impacts on the materials sector as a whole. The proposed reflection on the relation
between gender and materials is still a very initial one, but further research is advisable in light of the centrality
of sustainable policy issues such as the Circular Economy (CE) where it is important to focus the attention on the
role of social actors in the entire product cycle and not only in its final part (e.g., the purchase of consumer goods,
their use, disposal, re-use, etc.). A further reflection on gender and materials could also be relevant for LCA.
Research Interests:
The article deals with some of the implications of the “social nature” of materials. Particularly, the energy transition has been adopted as a particularly relevant analytical context for an in-depth reflection on the “social nature” of... more
The article deals with some of the implications of the “social nature” of materials. Particularly, the energy transition has been adopted as a particularly relevant analytical context for an in-depth reflection on the “social nature” of materials and on how such a nature manifests itself. A theoretical analysis providing an overview of some concepts relevant for the “society and materials” issue has been proposed as well as two case studies have been presented and discussed. The two case studies concerned the Industrial Symbiosis initiative of Kalundborg (Denmark) and the sustainable neighborhood of BedZed (UK), that have been considered two anticipatory experiences of energy transition in which materials played a very important role. On this basis arguments have been provided to support the idea of a strong relationship between the continuing attribution of social meanings to materials and huge social processes like energy transition.
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Il tema è quello dei beni culturali e dei paradossi che si presentano quando li si considera alla stregua di risorse naturali. E' un post pubblicato su un blog che non è più in linea, ma che è stato citato e che metto a disposizione del... more
Il tema è quello dei beni culturali e dei paradossi che si presentano quando li si considera alla stregua di risorse naturali. E' un post pubblicato su un blog che non è più in linea, ma che è stato citato e che metto a disposizione del pubblico. L'url iniziale era il seguente http://www.gazebos.it/2013/09/11/la-maledizione-dellabbondanza-turismo,-beni-culturali-e-la-nefasta-metafora-del-petrolio.aspx
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The article is a reflection on the formation of expectations. A brief presentation of the main concepts of expectations in economics and sociology is presented and, on the basis of some considerations concerning the debate in economics,... more
The article is a reflection on the formation of expectations. A brief presentation of the main concepts of expectations in economics and sociology is presented and, on the basis of some considerations concerning the debate in economics, some issues related to expectations are raised that demonstrate the utility and urgency of dealing with this issue, also in an interdisciplinary perspective (for example, innovation, the need to manage expectations in the framework of public policies). On these bases, the strong connection between expectations and narrative (storytelling)-emerging from the work of some sociologists and economists, although not systematically-is dealt with. Finally, and based on this connection, some issues are singled out that are considered worthy of further inquiry.
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Abstract In this article we expand the analysis previously proposed [L. d’Andrea, A. Declich, F. Feudo, Hidden societal implications of materials, Updating the awareness on what is at stake, Matériaux & Techniques, 102 (2014) 504]... more
Abstract
In this article we expand the analysis previously proposed [L. d’Andrea, A. Declich, F. Feudo, Hidden societal implications of materials, Updating the awareness on what is at stake, Matériaux & Techniques, 102 (2014) 504] concerning the link between materials and modernity, particularly the role of materials in the process of construction of modernity. On the basis of this relationship, we will deal with two interconnected issues. In the first part, we discuss, albeit in general terms, the role played by sociological research in understanding science and technology. This allows us to highlight the deep transformations that the relationship between science and society has undergone in past decades. In the second part, we introduce both the current state and possible future developments of the sociological study of materials, considering trends emerging in the complex relationship between science, technology and society. This also lead us to reflect on some (more practical than theoretical) implications of a sociological approach to materials (relevant, for example, for Life Cycle Assessment).
Résumé
Dans cet article nous élargissons l’analyse déjà proposée [L. d’Andrea, A. Declich, F. Feudo, Hidden societal implications of materials, Updating the awareness on what is at stake, in Matériaux & Techniques, 102 (2014) 504] concernant le lien entre les matériaux et la modernité, notamment le rôle des matériaux dans le processus de construction de la modernité. A partir de cette relation, nous allons traiter deux questions entrelacées. Dans la première partie, nous traitons, en de termes généraux, le rôle joué par la recherche sociologique dans la compréhension des rapports entre science et technologie. Ce qui nous permet de mettre en relief les profondes transformations que la relation entre science et société a vécu au cours des dernières décades. Dans la deuxième partie, nous introduisons le thème de l’état actuel et du possible développement futur de l’étude sociologique des matériaux, en considérant les tendances émergentes dans la complexe relation entre science, technologie et société. Ce qui nous portera également à réfléchir (sur le plan pratique plutôt que sur celui théorique) sur les implications d’une approche sociologique aux matériaux (pertinent, par example, à l’évaluation du cycle de vie - LCA).
In this article we expand the analysis previously proposed [L. d’Andrea, A. Declich, F. Feudo, Hidden societal implications of materials, Updating the awareness on what is at stake, Matériaux & Techniques, 102 (2014) 504] concerning the link between materials and modernity, particularly the role of materials in the process of construction of modernity. On the basis of this relationship, we will deal with two interconnected issues. In the first part, we discuss, albeit in general terms, the role played by sociological research in understanding science and technology. This allows us to highlight the deep transformations that the relationship between science and society has undergone in past decades. In the second part, we introduce both the current state and possible future developments of the sociological study of materials, considering trends emerging in the complex relationship between science, technology and society. This also lead us to reflect on some (more practical than theoretical) implications of a sociological approach to materials (relevant, for example, for Life Cycle Assessment).
Résumé
Dans cet article nous élargissons l’analyse déjà proposée [L. d’Andrea, A. Declich, F. Feudo, Hidden societal implications of materials, Updating the awareness on what is at stake, in Matériaux & Techniques, 102 (2014) 504] concernant le lien entre les matériaux et la modernité, notamment le rôle des matériaux dans le processus de construction de la modernité. A partir de cette relation, nous allons traiter deux questions entrelacées. Dans la première partie, nous traitons, en de termes généraux, le rôle joué par la recherche sociologique dans la compréhension des rapports entre science et technologie. Ce qui nous permet de mettre en relief les profondes transformations que la relation entre science et société a vécu au cours des dernières décades. Dans la deuxième partie, nous introduisons le thème de l’état actuel et du possible développement futur de l’étude sociologique des matériaux, en considérant les tendances émergentes dans la complexe relation entre science, technologie et société. Ce qui nous portera également à réfléchir (sur le plan pratique plutôt que sur celui théorique) sur les implications d’une approche sociologique aux matériaux (pertinent, par example, à l’évaluation du cycle de vie - LCA).
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Entrepreneurship, Sociology, Economics, Design for Social Innovation, Governance, and 12 moreStorytelling, Economics of Innovation, Agency Theory, Technology Entrepreneurship, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interdisciplinary research (Social Sciences), Innovation theory, Innovation Management, Expectations, Sociology of Expectations, Governance, Innovation, Sociology of Expectations, and Social Expectations
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The article presents typical economic methodological issues that are relevant to the research work of sociologists. In particular, it focuses on the concept of “stylized facts,” on some econometric research canons, on the use of... more
The article presents typical economic methodological issues that are relevant to the research work of sociologists. In particular, it focuses on the concept of “stylized facts,” on some econometric research canons, on the use of qualitative methodologies and survey data and on the existence of a “continuum” between qualitative and quantitative approaches. The objective is to highlight common denominators present in the methodological issues dealt with by both economists and sociologists. The basic idea is that a more systematic comparison of the different solutions to similar problems adopted within the two disciplines represents an opportunity for the advancement of knowledge and for the practice of social, as well as economic, research.
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L’articolo propone una riflessione sulla formazione delle aspettative. Viene presentata una rassegna delle principali accezioni del concetto di aspettativa in economia e sociologia e, anche a partire da un confronto con il dibattito in... more
L’articolo propone una riflessione sulla formazione delle aspettative. Viene presentata una rassegna delle principali accezioni del concetto di aspettativa in economia e sociologia e, anche a partire da un confronto con il dibattito in economia, si individuano alcuni questioni che mettono il luce l’utilità e l’urgenza di una riflessione (per esempio, l’innovazione e il management delle aspettative nell’ambito delle politiche). Si affronta, su queste basi, la relazione tra aspettative e narrazioni, che emerge in diverse letterature sia sociologiche che economiche, sebbene non in maniera sistematica. Infine, proprio a partire da questa relazione, vengono individuati alcuni temi meritevoli di ulteriori approfondimenti.