Co-evolution of Policy and Emerging Technology: Hydrogen Energy Policies in Iceland, the United Kingdom, and Korea

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between science and technology, on the one hand, and science, technology, and innovation policy, on the other. It argues that interactions between them involve a co-evolutionary process that varies with national systems of innovation. To find real-time evidence for this, an emerging technology was chosen for analysis, namely hydrogen energy technology. Various systemic perspectives aim to show how the development path of a technology is shaped by different interests and relations within society. This article demonstrates the existence of a co-evolution pathway that varies, depending on a countrys innovation system, mediated by governance structure. National systems of innovation strongly affect the co-evolution pathway depending on their particular needs, limitations, and circumstances. The findings support the recently proposed interactive model of science, technology, and innovation policy making, which includes an interactive learning process and working policy networks of stakeholders including researchers, policy makers, and civil society.