Keeping the balance: exploring the link of futures research with innovation and strategy processes

Futures research can support decisions concerning innovation and strategy issues. To encourage companies to use the results of futures studies, the futures researcher has to be aware of how those companies (clients) have organised their innovation and strategy processes. It is our position that futures researchers should balance the way they conduct futures research with the way innovation and strategy processes are organised and carried out. For example, in an organisation with a hierarchical way of building a strategy, a ‘democratic’ and interactive approach to futures research will probably not be appreciated. This makes it interesting and worthwhile to find out what futures research and innovation and strategy have in common, and on which points they relate. This will help futures researchers improve their work and make sure that their work has an impact on decisions concerning innovation and strategy.