In defence of the linear model: An essay

This essay discusses the strength and weaknesses of the so-called linear model (LM) of innovation. It is a reaction to the habit of criticising it as over simplistic, mechanistic, or simply blatantly wrong. We argue that, while some criticisms are of course well grounded, many others are instead bas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research policy 2010-02, Vol.39 (1), p.1-13
Main Authors: Balconi, Margherita, Brusoni, Stefano, Orsenigo, Luigi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chain-linked model
Criticism
Economic policy
Evaluation
Innovation
Innovations
Linear model
Linear model Innovation Research Chain-linked model
Linear models
Research methods
Studies
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Summary:This essay discusses the strength and weaknesses of the so-called linear model (LM) of innovation. It is a reaction to the habit of criticising it as over simplistic, mechanistic, or simply blatantly wrong. We argue that, while some criticisms are of course well grounded, many others are instead based on loose interpretations and unwarranted assumptions. In order to separate the wheat from the chaff, this essay first presents a comprehensive description of the linear model and differentiates it from the caricature many refer to. Second, we discuss the main criticisms put forward and argue that many of them are not at all destructive, but can be easily accepted within a refined version of the LM. Third, we discuss the policy implications often derived (or said to derive) from the LM to argue that the LM itself is distinctively policy-neutral. Other assumptions have to be added to justify alternative policy implications.
ISSN:0048-7333
1873-7625
DOI:10.1016/j.respol.2009.09.013